Happy 125th Anniversary Lady Liberty!

The Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated on October 28, 1886

2011 marks the 125th Anniversary of that event 

The people of France

gifted the statue to the people of the United States

in recognition of the friendship established

during the American Revolution

A few fun facts about Lady Liberty:

• Height of the statue from heel to top of head is 111 feet, 6 inches
• Face of Lady Liberty measures more than 8 feet tall
• Statue has a 35-foot waistline
• There are 154 steps from the pedestal to the head

Information about the Statue of liberty from The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. website.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.

Moonlight Flight

An antique postcard that features the fantasy of a witch in flight.

The witch and trees are vividly silhouetted against the bright yellow full moon.

If you look closely, spider webs can be seen in the tree tops.

Even though it is nighttime,

the deep blue of the sky is evident

as well as the green field beneath the witch’s flight path.

 

The gold, orange and black block border

adds an additional level of interest to this antique postcard.

Postcard from my personal collection

Marked Whitney Made, Worcester, Massachusetts, Made in U.S.A.

Although this postcard does not bear a stamp or postmark,

it is addressed to Mrs. Sims

and includes a simple greeting penned on the back:

Watch out!!!

 HALLOWEEN 

By Harry Behn

Tonight is the night

When dead leaves fly

Like witches on switches

Across the sky,

When elf and sprite

Flit through the night

On a moony sheen.

Tonight is the night

When leaves make a sound

Like a gnome in his home

Under the ground,

When spooks and trolls

Creep out of holes

Mossy and green.

Tonight is the night

When pumpkins stare

Through sheaves and leaves

Everywhere,

When ghouls and ghost

And goblin host

Dance round their queen.

It's Halloween.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.

Linking with Potpourri Friday at 2805

Trick-or-Treaters Path

There is a fairly long walk (especially for a child in a hurry to claim their Halloween treat) from the sidewalk to our front porch.  The trick-or-treaters are focused on the treat they will soon receive and don't notice any of the outside plants or decorations.  The adult chaperones for the youngsters may take notice.




The walk leading to the front porch is shades of purple, pink and white thanks to the planting of Ornamental Kale.

These plants are interesting all season but take on their vibrant color when the temperature begin to drop.

















Most of the trees in our yard have dropped their leaves.  But the Japanese Maples still bear their crimson foliage.

A sweet witch, crafted by a local artist, greets visitors at the front door.  She has added spirit to my porch for a number of Halloweens.

The ornamental gourds on her hat have been replaced since the birds keep sampling the fruit.  I'm sure they are surprised when they don't get a tasty morsel after all of their work!

A simple greeting . . .

punctuated by a black cat and a ghost.













The treat!

Which would you choose?















This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.


Linking this week with 
Bunny Hop Wednesday at Bunny Jean's Decor and More
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home 

Jack O'Lantern Ghost

This little fellow has been reading too many ghost stories.  Just look at the little boy's astonished face as he is surprised by the jack-o-lantern spirit.

Antique postcard from my personal collection.

MAKING JACK O' LANTERNS

Just take a golden pumpkin
 Of quite the largest size,
Cut all 'round the stem, just so,
 Scrape out the inside below,
And cut two holes for eyes.
 And now fix a nose beneath,
 And such a great big mouth with teeth,
 And you've a jack-o'-lantern!


Then fix a tallow candle,
Just big enough to light,
 And when it flickers, see him blink,
 And when it flares up, see him wink
 And smile so broad and bright.
 This is the jolliest sort of a fellow,
With cheery face so round and yellow,
 This funny jack-o'-lantern.


-Anonymous

With thanks to Richard Anderson

 who posted this poem to his vintage Halloween poetry website.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.

Pumpkins and So Much More

My Halloween decorating style is more sweet than scary.

You will be greeted by a jack-o-lantern -- 

or I should say one of my favorite dolls disguised as a pumpkin.

Her trick-or-treat bag is already full of goodies.

And unlike Little Miss Muffet, she hasn't been frightened away

by the great spider who landed on her pumpkin-top hat.

Harvest angels grace the mantle.

An antique postcard has been framed and shares a prominent spot.

In the kitchen, a Debbie Mumm designed plate features a haunted house.

Seasonal cupcake candles complete the display.

Going outside, the angel theme is repeated
near a decorative fence by the back patio.

And a metal pumpkin welcomes visitors to the pumpkin patch.

These real pumpkins belong to a neighbor.

Their garden is on the other side of the fence.

The pumpkin vines meandered under the fence and the effect looks intentional.

Mother Nature certainly knows how to show off!

I hope you enjoyed the short tour.  Please visit again!

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.


Linking this week with 
Bunny Hop Wednesday at Bunny Jeans Decor and More
Show and Tell Friday! at My Romantic Home

Halloween Fantasy - The Witches Dance

This week’s antique postcard is titled “The Witch’s Dance” on the face of the card.   Unlike the romantic postcard highlighted in an earlier post, this artwork features more traditional images of a witch and pumpkins.  However, our ancestors had a more lighthearted view of the holiday. 

You will notice the witch is young, pretty and dressed in stylish red gown.  The pumpkins are given human attributes --frolicking under the bright yellow crescent moon.  And even the black cat joins in the merrymaking in celebration of the magical Halloween holiday.

Vivid autumn colors of orange, green, red and yellow are prominent making the card desirable for collectors of both yesterday and today.

Antique postcard is from my personal collection.
Marked "Halloween" Series Number 980; Postally Unused.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.   Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations. 


Today I am linking with My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friday.  Stop over and explore a wealth of interesting articles.

Shelburne Museum Miniatures

One of the highlights of a visit to the Shelburne Museum in Vermont is the Kirk Bros. Circus that was carved by Edgar Decker Kirk over a period of more than 40 years from 1910-1956.  A three-ring circus complete with audience was carved using a simple penknife and a foot-powered jigsaw.  The collection numbering over 3,500 pieces was originally a toy for the four Kirk children.

Kirk Bros. Circus, Photographed Fall 2010 at Shelburne, VT

Shelburne Museum, Photographed Fall 2010

Some additional circus inspired vignettes can be located in other exhibits.

Shelburne Museum, Photographed Fall 2010

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Shelburne Museum, Photographed Fall 2010

The museum also has an array of charming miniatures replicating Victorian era shops.

Shelburne Museum, Photographed Fall 2010

Shelburne Museum, Photographed Fall 2010

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.   Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.

Halloween Lore - Romantic Reflections

During the weeks approaching Halloween, I thought you would enjoy a bit of folklore and Halloween images drawn from a combination of classic mythology and superstition.  One of the most common customs shown on antique postcards depicts a maiden following rituals for a glimpse into the future to identify her future true love.   Unlike today's Halloween traditions, our ancestors viewed Halloween as a romantic holiday.  It is a little known fact that St. Matrimony is the patron saint of Halloween!

Antique Halloween Postcard Marked 876/6.
Postally unused.

Now to see your lover tried and true,
I advise you this to do:
Take a mirror new and bright
In your left hand at Twelve to night
and a lighted candle in your right.



Postcard image from my personal collection


Rhyme from old Halloween postcard as printed in book "Halloween: Romantic Art and Customs of Yesteryear" by Diane C. Arkins, copyright 2000.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.   Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.

Baby Dolls That Look Real with Inner Glow

A new technique was introduced in Fall 2010 that brings a new level of realism and results in baby dolls that look real without the high cost associated with a reborn doll.  Inner Glow uses a specially formulated blue dye on the inside of extra-light semi-transparent vinyl.  The result is a natural skin tone that mimics the depth and richness of real skin.  This artistry is available on select expressions.

Doll in the Looking Glass currently has two babies available in our boutique that feature the life-like realism produced by the Inner Glow technique.  Little Miss is a 17-inch preemie and Cream and Honey is 19-inches.

Visit the Doll in the Looking Glass boutique for these and other toddler and baby dolls that look real.