Greetings of the Season 2014

Here's to the season

Of good-will and joy

Here's to the Christmas 

That's dawning.

Here's to your health

And may nothing destroy

The pleasures I wish you

this morning.

I chose this vintage postcard because the greeting 

expressed the sentiment I wish for each of you. 

The card was written and sent to a family

 in Stockbridge, Michigan

 on December 24, 1914 -- exactly 100 years ago today.

Merry Christmas!

Until next time, live and love well.

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.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Slow Dance

This week I received an e-mail that included a poem written by a teenager with cancer in a hospital in New York.  This young girl has less than 6 months to live and wanted to spread the message telling everyone to live their life to the fullest since she never will.  She'll never make it to prom, graduate from high school, or get married and have a family of her own. Please take a moment to read this beautiful message, share it with your friends and family and pass it on as her last request.

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?

Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Do you run through each day

On the fly?

When you ask how are you?

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You'd better slow down

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last.

Ever told your child,

We'll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste,

Not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,

Let a good friendship die

Cause you never had time

To call and say,'Hi'

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won't last..

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,

It is like an unopened gift....

Thrown away.

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

--------------

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me this week and meet some lovely people:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Forever Young

Can you believe this lovely lady turns age 55 on March 9.

Mattel introduced Barbara Millicent Roberts to the world in 1959 and ever since she has lovingly been known simply as Barbie.

In honor of this event, I spent an afternoon with Barbie.

She has had many careers over the years.

In more recent years, she has been an astronaut

and a Presidential candidate.  Some of her early occupations shown here have been traditional roles held by women.

Here her crisp white nurse's uniform
is topped with a navy cape (note the red lining)
and she is ready for any emergency
with a hot water bottle and a vial of medicine. 

A smart royal blue suit is the uniform she wore

as an American Airlines' flight attendant.

Barbie is an excellent chef.

She favors wearing a rosy pink dress with her apron and chef's hat.

This silver tutu was worn in Barbie's starring role

in the Nutcracker Suite Ballet.

Barbie is elegant dressed in black

as the solo vocalist with the symphony.

When she is not working,

Barbie has a wide variety of leisure activities.

Skiing ...

Ice Skating ...

Tennis ...

Barbie even likes to change her hairstyle from her typical ponytail.  This doll came with a trio of wigs

-- brunette, blond or redhead -- 

depending on her mood.  

Here is a close-up of two of the wigs on the wig stand.

This doll wore a gold striped swimsuit

rather than the usual black zebra stripe.

As I examined the clothing, I was amazed at the realistic detail.

Look at the teeny, tiny zipper closure on this dress!

And, I love the beading on this straw purse.

At the end of the afternoon, Barbie's long-time beau, Ken,

arrived to escort her for a birthday dinner celebration.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BARBIE!

I hope you enjoyed this trip with me down memory lane.

Childhood in a box! 

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me this week at these fun events:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Be My Valentine

If you have visited before, you know that

I typically share antique holiday postcards.  

Today I have something a bit different.

A friend was moving last summer,

decided to part with some of her collectibles and 

offered me her collection of postcards.

Thank you, Michele!

When I opened the box, I discovered

three antique pop-up Valentines.

This is the display I created so I could enjoy these treasures.

Cupid is ready to pierce the heart

of his next target needing some romance in their life. 

Loving wishes from Grandma and Grandpa

were sent via this charming girl carrying a bouquet of flowers.

It was fortunate they added a date to their signature --

February 14, 1915.

The largest of the three cards was so fragile,

it was best displayed in a frame.  

Thanks for stopping by to share this special day.

And what better way to ask you to "Be My Valentine"

 than with a bouquet of red roses?

Wishing you a loving Valentine's Day!

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me in Sharing PINK:

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

Many parts of the U.S. -- including Michigan -- 

continue to experience extremely cold temperatures

so I though this was a good time to share a small wall hanging

that I made to bring a bit of cold weather whimsy into my home.

Here is a closeup of the hand embroidery that was used

to give this snowman personality.

His hands may be cold, but he delivers

a heartfelt "Winter Blessings" greeting.

A chain stitch was used on his hat and gloves to mimic

 the cable stitch in knit garments.

Pearls and bugle beads embellish the body of the snowman.

And his heart is stitched with closely spaced french knots.

Crab-apple Hill created the pattern for this project, 

#410 Crazy Quilt Snowman.  

It was intended to be a pillow top

but by adding a few borders

it is just the right size to display in my foyer. 

Until next time, live and love well.

This week you will find me at these gatherings:

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Share Your Cup at Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Ringing In 2014

Happy New Year -- 2014!

The bells were gathered to make a celebratory noise

as a new year commences.  

The celebration of New Year has long been associated

with extending good wishes and visiting with friends.

   The lovely ladies pictured on these vintage postcards

 are dressed in their finest attire to wish you

love, happiness and peace during 2014.

The postcards were published by John Winsch, copyright 1910.

Until next time, live and love well.

Please join me in ringing in the New Year at:

Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

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.  We would love to create a special doll for you!