Doll-A-Day 2023 #48: Heidi

   Today's doll may look familiar to you. She's Heidi.

Heidi is a Timeless Treasures 'When I Read I Dream' doll, like Fern, better known around here as Tammy World. There were only four doll in the series, and all the dolls in the series were based on book characters. 

Heidi is based on the title character from the book by Johann Spyri.

They included Fern from "Charlotte's Web", Jo, from "Little Women", Anne, from "Anne of Green Gables", and Heidi, from...well, you know. You can see my Jo HERE, you can see Anne HERE, and you can see Tammy World showing you what Fern looks like HERE.

  Heidi and Tammy...sorry, Fern, share a head sculpt, as do all the dolls in the series, and all have the same cute freckles. (The bodies are all the same too, but Tammy has been switched to a Hermione Granger body for posability.)

 

Her apron is a separate piece. The clothes, which bear the 'Barbie Collectibles' tag, are made to fit perfectly on these dolls, and although they are made with snaps on the back, as if they could be removed, the clothes are very hard to take off.
She has actual embroidery on her apron, and brown boots that snap open on the sides for removal.

Her blonde hair is braided, and held back with a kerchief that ties in back.

  If she looks familiar for another reason, it's because in Tammy World's world, she's Heidi Rettop, and you may have seen her in my photostories 'The First Day of School', and 'The World Kids go Sledding'.

  I like the three dimensional cabin in Heidi's box insert.

  Ken brought this doll from the house because he thought it might be wet, but it wasn't. Perfect condition, and no smoke smell because she was downstairs, at the edge of the room that got wet when the water came through the ceiling from the fire being put out. In any case, she's available if anybody is interested.  ($18 plus shipping.)

  That's today's doll. Guess what's up for tomorrow. Another doll! 

Doll-A-Day 2019 #86: When I Read I Dream Jo

  Today we're talking about Women's History Month again, with a doll based on a famous female character,from a book by a famous female author. She's Jo,from "Little Women".

This Jo is from the When I Read I Dream series of dolls.

You may have previously seen the When I Read I Dream Anne of Green Gables doll HERE,and of course, Tammy World is When I Read I Dream Fern from the series. You can see Tammy in her original clothes HERE.
  I only just noticed when doing these pictures, that Jo's clothes are tagged 'Barbie Collectibles".

  Jo is the main character in "Little Women", by Louisa May Alcott.

   The doll is a bit inaccurate, since the character of Jo is 15 years old at the beginning of the first book,and this doll looks way younger than that. She also looks a bit girly compared to the idea of the tomboyish Jo in the books. The book also describes Jo as 'very tall,thin, and brown, and reminded one of a colt,for she never knew what to do with her long limbs'. This doll that isn't!

 "Little Women",with it's strong,working female character who,at first,spurns marriage, was unusual for it's time. It was first published in 1868,a time when women were expected to marry and become mothers,and little else. The book is loosely based on Alcott's own life, (and surprisingly, it is thought to be  heavily based on the early life of Alcott's mother.),and the character 'Jo' was Alcott's version of herself. Louisa May Alcott actually answered letters written to 'Miss March', or 'Jo'.

  In "Little Women" Jo wants to be a writer. Alcott earned money writing short stories, and was asked by a publisher to write a 'book about girls'. Alcott resisted at first, believing she couldn't successfully write about girls, and stated she didn't enjoy writing "Little Women". The book was a great success though. Originally the book only contained part of the story, and curious readers demanded to know what happened to the characters. Alcott wrote a sequel in 1869,and then two more,"Little Men" and "Jo's Boys". Today the first two books are published together as one volume, entitled "Little Women",only separated by being 'part 1',and 'part 2' of the same book.

  Louisa May Alcott was born in 1832,in what is now part of Philadelphia. After moving to Boston in 1834, Louisa's father established an experimental school and became a member of the Transcendental Club, along with Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.  Thus, Alcott's education included being taught by Thoreau, Emerson,Nathaniel Hawthorne,(author of "The House of Seven Gables",and "The Scarlet Letter".),Margaret Fuller, (the first American female full time book reviewer in journalism,and the author of "Women in the Nineteenth Century",considered to be the first major American feminist work.), and Julia Ward Howe, (author of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic", and an abolitionist and social activist,particularly for women's suffrage.)  These teachers, and the poverty that forced Louisa May Alcott to work as a young woman,were a huge influence on her views towards women's rights and marriage.Unlike the character of Jo, Louisa never married.
  The doll has a one piece dress/apron,with a real pocket and removable lace trimmed handkerchief.

There is one stitch holding the hanky in the pocket.

The sash on her dress doesn't really tie around her. The bow is all on one side. The dress snaps in the back.

 

At least Jo's dress goes on and off easily. Anne of Green Gables' dress was almost impossible to remove. It seems practically sewn on.
She also has white tights and black Mary Jane shoes.

  Her hair has little braids around her head, and...what would you call them? Hair blobs?...at the sides and back.

  Jo's hair can actually be taken down and combed out,and she looks quite contemporary.

Like this Jo doll who doubles as Tammy World's sister Jo, when Jo wants to 'let her hair down', as she did in the photostory 'The World Kids Go Sledding', which you can see HERE.

   Once again, the When I Read I Dream dolls use a head sculpt unique to the series, and the 8 inch Barbie sister Stacie body,(which was previously  used on the Lady Lovelylocks dolls.)

  That's it for today's doll. See you again tomorrow.

A Yard Sale Haul

  It's already Friday and I did some more yard saling today,but I wanted to show you some of my good finds from last weekend. First of all is this bunch of goodies. The tricycle for Tippee Toes was 25 cents. From the same lady I got Cathy Quick Curl in her box for $3. Cathy was her childhood doll, and she lovingly smoothed Cathy's hair as she put her in the box for me.

I also got the When I Read I Dream Heidi doll for $3 at a different sale.

   I got these things at one sale. The musical Happy Birthday cake  plate and the Old Maid cards were 50 cents each, and the needs-to-be -restrung Mary Hartline was a dollar.

I kind of don't see the point of the Happy Birthday plate actually having that written on it, because once the cake's on it you can't see that anyway. I love the pictures on these Old Maid cards. I have an old miniature set with an Old Maid that looks like Carol Burnett, and the 1950's or 60's set from my childhood, so I've  inadvertently started a collection.

  This Polish doll was 25 cents, and came from the same sale as Cathy Quick Curl.

 I have another one of these that belonged to Ken's sister when she was a little girl. She gave it to us because when they were kids and the doll's hair fell out, their mother replaced it with Ken's hair, which it still has.

  I also got a vintage flowered tablecloth for 50 cents,8 vintage cloth napkins for 80 cents,and this signed Tasha Tudar book for 50 cents.

This is the second signed Tasha Tudor book I've found at a garage sale in this town. Both were less than a dollar.

  I got a load of Barbie furniture and clothes, a wooden swinging doll cradle and some other stuff for $2, a Moxie Girl, complete with clothes and shoes, a nude Bratzillaz Meygana, and an 18" Madame Alexander My Favourite Freinds doll, all for $2. The reason I got so much stuff was because it was the weekend of 2 community yard sales, including the biggest one in town,(Almost an entire housing development has sales.)  plus 2 church sales and random regular yard sales. I bought a lot of random things too, like DVDs and records,a Holly Hobbie sheet set,several chunks of fabric, a set of talking Three Stooges golf club covers, an almost complete Moxie Girlz Magic Snow cabin,and two vintage planters with fawns on them.
    Coming soon,a new doll, and more yard sale finds.

Happy Father's Day!

Tammy World and her dad Wally out for a walk.

  I'm missing my Dad today, but there will be some celebrating with Ken to do when he gets home from work.

One of my favourite pictures: Dad, with me and Emma at her 3rd birthday party.

He started the day celebrating with Emma, since she's leaving for Las Vegas before he will get home. As one of Dominoes Pizza's best managers, she was sent by the company, to the seminar in Las Vegas. We're very proud of her!

Good father Ken with us all last Christmas Eve. The extra kid on the bottom right is Fuzzy's girlfriend Shanna.

  Ken's favourite way to celebrate is eating, so I'm sure we'll be doing some of that!

  Have a great Father's Day!

Happy World Doll Day! Give A Doll To A Child in Need

  Happy World Doll Day! 

That's tomorrow. It's all about giving a doll, so you still have time to donate a doll to a deserving charity, give a doll to a child who needs one, or gift that special someone a doll they've been longing for.
  World Doll Day was the idea of Midred Seeley, and this is the 29th year. Here's the original letter, from the WorldDollDay.com website:

"To make it happen I need cooperation of every doll collector, every magazine editor, doll newsletter, doll shop, library, doll maker, mother, grand­mother, father, grandfather, and all the stray aunts and uncles. The first World Doll Day is the Second Saturday of June 1986. Give a doll to a grownup, child in the family or just a friend.  If you don't have a child to give a doll to - find one. There are many children with no dolls.

Think of it this way and ship a doll to another country.  I have always felt that the common doll could be an instrument of world understanding. From the first time I started writing books on doll making, I had the hope that dolls would help make friends all over the world and develop a little love among all.

World Doll Day will also be a day for doll exhibits. It is my hope that all libraries will have a special doll exhibit. Museums will publicize their doll exhibits and have special doll exhibits at this time.  Magazines will put out special editions.  Doll stores will put on campaigns weeks ahead.  Doll Makers will make special dolls for World Doll Day.  There will be doll competitions with World Doll Day awards, plaques and trophies.

The logo is made from artist Boots Tyner's doll representing a child. The child carries a German bisque doll to represent this doll collectors gift.  Feel free to copy the logo or have one made.

Everyone can enjoy the fun as there are no fees, no permission needed, no obligations, nobody owns the day, no club, no company.  It's a free- for- all, take up the day, its ideas and fly with it.  Lets do it now.  World Doll Day.

If you think World Doll Day is a good idea, then appoint yourself a committee of one to do something about it--only then can it become a reality.  Would you tell five people,  ask them to tell five people, and each of them tell five people and so on.  World Doll Day's birthday is June 14, 1986.

Sincerely,
Mil and Vernon Seeley

P.S. This letter may be copied and copied again and again until the world knows about World Doll Day."

  

Tammy World heard it was 'World' doll day, so she thought it was meant for her...

  So pass the word. Buy a doll for someone.

 

Dolls on the left are D.W. (from "Arthur") in back, Rosie from Calliou, Lemon Meringue,  a Strawberry Shortcake friend,and Baby Gonzo, from Muppet Babies. Dolls on the right are Sarah from Calliou,and Jo Jo from Jo Jo's Circus,(In back.),  Casia, a Mooshka doll, and Lalaoopsey Ace Fender Bender. On Tammy's lap and shoulder are dolls I made. And of course, Tammy is really 'Fern' from the When I Read I Dream series of dolls from 2001.

  I said my next post would be a review, but then this happened...Soon, I promise!

Happy Mother's Day!

  First, I keep forgetting to welcome our latest followers. I may be repeating myself, so if I have welcomed you before, just remember I 'm getting old! Welcome to Eibhlin, whose page you can see HERE.And another welcome to Just My Dolls, whose page you can see HERE. Thanks to both of you for joining us!
  And now, a Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there.

From me, and Dolly World and her girls.

"Especially me!" says Tammy World.

  I'm reminded that some people don't have people children, but they have dog or cat, or other animal 'children' that they are 'mom' to, and I want to extend that greeting to them too. My best friend, who has doggy children, had a close call with one of her youngsters  this past week, and she was an exemplary Mom, staying up with him all night for a while.
  Hopefully my kids will spend some time with me on Mother's Day. (Well, Ivy's kind of stuck with me, but Fuzz and Emma may be working.)

My sister, on the left, and me, with our Mom on Christmas, the year I obviously got my Tearie Dearie.

Every Day Is Earth Day

It matters every day, not just once a year. Live Earth Day every day of the year if you want to make a difference.

Happy Earth Every Day, from The World Family and me.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everybody!

 I know I promised a report on my birthday gifts, but I wanted to take some outdoor shots and the weather hasn't been cooperating. We have had rain, cold, and even some snow and frost. My poor daffodils are still not open. I do, however, have some baby tomato plants starting, and some of my amaryllis' are almost ready to bloom. On top of the weather, I, along with Ken and Ivy, have had a bad cold that's been lingering on for about 3 weeks now,and some sort of eye thing that has had me waking up with my eyes glued shut! They have been blurry throughout the day too. And to top everything off, our basement flooded about 6 weeks ago, and our water heater still doesn't want to re-light. So we've been abusing Emma's hospitality to take showers, and boiling water to do dishes. Either the water heater is going to dry out enough eventually to restart, (To be fair, it was under a foot and a half of water for about a week.), or we are going to need a new water heater. When our basement flooded a couple of years ago during the hot summer, it took a week or more for it to dry out, so I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt with the weather being so cold, (And so the basement is cold too.), that it will take a bit longer this time.

Happy Father's Day! The World Family is Back

   Some Dads are great storytellers.

"...and the dragon came puffing around the corner. The knight held his shield up to block the intense heat from the fire the dragon was breathing..."

Wally World holds his kids spellbound with his tales.

"And then the dragon sneezed and blew out his fire..."

"Well since there's a pause in the story while the dragon heats back up, here Dad.", says Simon, "This is for you.It's from all of us."

 "Because, see, not only are you the best dad in the world," Tammy explained, "you're our dad, and you're the best. So either way, you're the World's Best Dad!"

"Oh ha. Keep the day job Tammy." Todd snidely remarked.

"I will, 'cause my day job is punching you in the face!" Tammy snapped back,starting to step toward Todd.

"That's enough." Dolly said, trying to stop them before a war could get underway.

"Cool off. You're going to ruin Daddy's day." soothed Dolly. "I'm sorry." Tammy said.

   Wally looked lovingly on his brood. "Thanks you guys. It's easy to be the best Dad when you have the best kids...Well,except when you're trying to kill each other..."

                                   Happy Father's Day! From Planet of the Dolls and the World family.