Monday, November 28, 2011

Santa Doesn't Always Wear Red!

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Made in Germany, Postally Unused
The Golden Age of Postcards covered the period between 1898-1918.  Picture postcards on every imaginable holiday were exchanged.   Various "gift-givers" were popular subjects of Christmas postcards.

St. Nicholas, one of the earliest Old World legends was based on an actual person, the bishop of Myra.  He is known for his generosity and deeds involving children in distress.  The date of his death, December 6, was  commemorated with an annual feast.  Youngsters would set out food for the saint and obedient children would find their gifts replaced with sweets and toys.  After the Protestant Reformation in the 16th Century, the veneration of Catholic saints was banned.  But people had become accustomed to the annual visit from the gift-bearing saint.  Gift bearers began to take on a non-religious appearance but still reflected St. Nicholas generous spirit.   As each country adopted their own gift bearing figure, there was no common agreement on how he looked so there are many variations in artists' images.

In this artist's rendering, Santa wears blue and delivers toys from an early automobile.


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.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Santa's House in Midland, Michigan


The Tuesday after Thanksgiving marks the annual opening of Midland's enchanting Santa House.  At this quaint cottage, children whisper their wishes to the jolly man from the North Pole.  

After Christmas, Santa begins his much deserved rest but the house remains open a few more days to enable adults to experience the magical surroundings.   Please join me on a tour.  Photo highlights taken during Christmas 2010.




Santa's Stocking Hung on the Fireplace



Carved Carousel Horse


Giant Nutcracker and Rocking Horses 


Electric Trains . . .
I believe, do you?


Miniature Carousel with Exotic Animals


 A Doll Shop! ;)


 Gown Designed for a Fairy Princess


Santa's Private Plane!


Talented Musicians

A sleigh brimming with gifts.


Wishing you Christmas Cheer!

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 Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thanksgiving Reflections

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Marked Series 252 C
Postmarked 1912, West Virginia
THANKSGIVING IS....

Thanksgiving is
a time of gratitude to God, our Creator and Provider,
whose guidance and care go before us...
and whose love is with us forever.

Thanksgiving is
a time to reflect on the changes,
to remember that we, too, grow and change
from one season of life to another.

Thanksgiving is
a time of changing seasons, when leaves turn golden
in Autumn's wake and apples are crisp
in the first chill breezes of fall.

Let us remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
As we see the beauty of Autumn,
let us acknowledge the many blessings which are ours...
let us think of our families and friends..
and let us give thanks in our hearts.

~~Author Unknown.~~







Wishing everyone bountiful blessings for Thanksgiving!

Linking with Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop Party


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.




Monday, November 21, 2011

Curls and Twirls Toddler Now Available

Just in time for the Holidays, a new custom collectible doll has been added to our inventory.  Curls and Twirls was named because her lovely blonde locks twirl every which way creating a cascade of waist length curls down her back.

Curls and Twirls Created by Doll in the Looking Glass 

This is one of the toddler and baby dolls that look real created by Doll in the Looking Glass using the Lupe expression from Apple Valley Doll Works.  Her Ocean Green eyes are twinkling as bright as the holiday lights.

Curls and Twirls wears a festive red, black and cream plaid dress.  The dress features ruffled collar, a band of red velveteen at the hemline and a cluster of red velveteen roses at the waist.   Her outfit is a name-brand real children's line of clothing.

Curls and Twirls Created by Doll in the Looking Glass

Visit our website for more information or to purchase Curls and Twirls.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Cart of Plenty

Oh what a sight!  This young lad is guiding his team of TURKEYS to the Thanksgiving feast.  They are actually pulling a cart filled with roast turkey and juicy fruit.  They must be thankful they are doing the heavy work and are not the feast (at least not this dinner).  A very whimsical antique postcard that was mailed in 1908 from Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Antique Holiday Postcard from my personal collection.
Made in Germany.  Published by ABS and Marked 282.


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.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Old Mission Peninsula Quilt Barn Trail

The beautiful autumn weather we have continued to enjoy in Michigan provided an opportunity for a fall color tour.  It is past prime viewing season for the changing colors of leaves, in fact most leaves have already fallen to the ground.  The tour we will take today covers the bountiful colors that can be found following the Quilt Barn Trail on Old Mission Peninsula near Traverse City.  There are currently 14 private farms that prominently display a painted quilt block on the side of their barn.   Since these quilt blocks are on private farms, I was not able to get close enough to photograph them all but have a dozen to share with you.


Our first stop features a barn with a Maple Leaf pattern
to represent the stately maples that once lined some of the roads on Old Mission Peninsula.





This barn dates to 1904.  The quilt block highlights the sun, water and rolling fields of the peninsula.
The owners of this barn pioneered contour plowing.

.



A sign in front of this charming barn proudly displays the name "Bewitched Farm".
The owner was born on Halloween and the quilt block keeps with that theme.




The owners of this barn also own one of the local vineyards.
The quilt square reflects the starlings that fly over the vineyard each fall.




The Nine-Patch block symbolizes faith, citizenship, heritage and farm life.
The barn dates to 1912.




This small barn featuring a Crazy Quilt block almost looks like a play house for a child.
Note the cherries painted on the window boxes.  




The Celtic Cross honors the family ancestors who originally farmed in Ireland and Scotland.




The Chown barn was built in 1870 and features a modified Bear Paw block.
The pattern was reproduced from a quilt made by the owner's great-grandmother and her sister-in-law.





A Le Moyne Star is featured on this 1909 barn.




A windmill pattern quilt block is featured on this 1880 barn.
The center motif honors the farm's primary crop -- cherries.




The wood for this barn was harvested from farm property over 100 years ago.
The rocks for the foundation were also gathered from the farm's fields.
The quilt pattern features an arrowhead design.




Our final stop is a barn erected in 1910 that now houses an antique shop.
The quilt block features tulips.



You noticed several references to cherries in the quilt blocks.  The first cherry orchard was planted on Old Mission Peninsula in 1852.  Today Michigan produces 70-75% of the tart cherries grown in the United States.  Most of the 3.8 million tart cherry trees are in the Traverse City area.  Michigan's sweet cherry production is also concentrated near Traverse City.

I hope you enjoyed the tour.  You may have a similar quilt barn trail close to your home.  For more information on locations in your state, check the map prepared by Barn Quilt Trails across America.


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:

Friday, November 11, 2011

Veteran's Day 11-11-11

With Thanks to All of Our Heroes!

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection,
Marked Decoration Day Series No. 2


Thursday, November 10, 2011

Children's Harvest Festival Game

Seeking liberty the Pilgrims left Plymouth, England on the Mayflower in September 1620 arriving in Massachusetts in late November.  Unprepared for the harsh winter, half of the 102 Pilgrims did not survive the first winter due to starvation and sickness.   With much prayer and assistance from the Native Americans, the surviving Pilgrims enjoyed a bountiful harvest in 1621.  In celebration of the successful season, a three day harvest festival was celebrated by the Pilgrims and their Native American friends.  This is considered to be the first U.S. Thanksgiving.

There were 32 children listed as passengers on the Mayflower.  Today's postcard depicts two of these young Pilgrims playing games with their new friends.  You can almost hear the laughter and singing as these children dance around the pumpkin.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection



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:
Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop Party
2805 Potpourri Party

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Postmarked 102 Years Ago Today

As I was looking through my Thanksgiving antique postcards to find one to share with you, I spotted this young man carving a pumpkin.  Thought this was perfect to transition from Halloween that we celebrated earlier this week into this month's season of giving thanks.

Upon closer examination, I noticed that the card was postmarked from Pottstown, PA on November 5, 1909 -- 102 years ago.  Perfect for a posting on November 5, 2011.

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection,
 Postmarked November 5, 1909

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.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Decor to Welcome Thanksgiving


Welcome Thanksgiving!  Let's begin a tour of seasonal decor as you come in the front door.  As might be expected upon entering a doll maker's home, you will be greeted by a sweet toddler.  She gets in the spirit of the holidays by changing her attire to reflect the season.  Now she is wearing a dress with a green velveteen bodice and a plaid skirt featuring the burgundy, green and gold colors of the season.












A narrow wall of the foyer displays a Jim Shore wall banner highlighting a pilgrim couple.   This banner was difficult to photograph due to the length  so I hope the detail comes through.  


This cute pillow came from Hobby Lobby.  I was attracted to the nubby background fabric that blends with the fabric of my favorite comfy chair.

This would be an easy project for the quilter who has a stash of scraps since the greeting is appliqued using a variety of colorful fabrics and trims.  






A whimsical turkey brings spirit to the kitchen counter.  Some metallic copper-colored ribbon has been wrapped around the pumpkin to give it a more polished look.














This carved pumpkin was also from Hobby Lobby.  I couldn't resist the sweet children giving thanks.
















The carved pumpkin placed along with candles, leaves and glass berries makes an elegant display on the dining room table.


Thanks for stopping by.  Please come 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 with
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop Party


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