Puppy Dog Tails

It has been quite a while since I shared some vintage postcards with you.  Today’s offering is a group of cards showcasing children and their beloved family dogs.

These cards were printed by varied publishers and

those that bear postmarks are dated 1911 or 1912.

The title of the post “Puppy Dog Tails” was inspired by the nursery rhyme “What Are Little Boys Made Of”.

As the related girls poem states,

little girls are made of sugar and spice.

The postcards are photographed against a backdrop

of some of the frilly doll dresses

that just arrived in my doll boutique.

I thought these dresses with ribbons and lace

represented the “sugar and spice” of little girls.

Did you know that these nursery rhyme verses 

are actually part of a much longer poem? 

The poem “What Folks Are Made of” is attributed to Robert Southey, 

an English poet and historian, who became poet laureate in 1813.  Although the entire rhyme cannot be absolutely verified

as being by Southey

 it is generally thought to be by him, circa 1820.

Although I don't understand the meaning behind all of the verses

 (why are nurses made of bushes and thorns and old cow horns?),

I thought you might enjoy reading the entire poem.

What Folks Are Made Of 

Attributed to Robert Southey, About 1820

Authorship cannot be absolutely verified 

                                                                                  

        What are little babies made of?

             Diapers and crumbs and sucking their thumbs;

          That's what little babies are made of.

                                                  

          What are little boys made of?

             Snips and snails and puppy-dog tails;

          That's what little boys are made of.                                              

         

          What are little girls made of?

             Sugar and spice and everything nice;

          That's what little girls are made of.

         

          What are young men made of?

             Sighs and leers and crocodile tears;

          That's what young men are made of.

                                            

          What are young women made of?

             Rings and jings and other fine things;                                         

          That's what young women are made of.                                        

         

          What are our sailors made of?

             Pitch and tar, pig-tail and scar;

          That's what our sailors are made of.

         

          What are our soldiers made of?

             Pipeclay and drill, the foeman to kill;

          That's what our soldiers are made of.

         

          What are our nurses made of?

             Bushes and thorns and old cow's horns;

          That's what our nurses are made of.

         

          What are our fathers made of?

             Pipes and smoke and collars choke;

          That's what our fathers are made of.

         

          What are our mothers made of?

             Ribbons and laces and sweet pretty faces;

          That's what our mothers are made of.

         

          What are old men made of?

             Slippers that flop and a bald-headed top;

          That's what old men are made of.

         

          What are old women made of?

             Reels, and jeels, and old spinning wheels;

          That's what old women are made of.

         

          What are all folks made of?

             Fighting a spot and loving a lot,

          That's what all folks are made of.

Until next time, live and love well.

Join me in meeting some great people this week at these 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!

Keepsake Bride Doll

Delicate white lace styled into a classic gown

Elegant attire for a bride doll that was custom made 

for a young lady who will soon be a bride

Dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes

with just a hint of a smile

A doll made to resemble the bride-to-be

when she was two years old

A floral wreath secures the veil

A bouquet with red roses

Accents for the exquisite gown

The sumptuous gown features embroidered net lace over taffeta

With accent medallions of venise lace

White Roses to signify a new beginning

The deep emotion of Red Roses whisper "I love you"

A wish for happiness expressed by accents of Baby's Breath 

The veil is like a cloud surrounding a crown

of shiny shoulder-length hair

A special doll that will serve as a focal point

for prenupital festivities 

and a keepsake of the happy event

Doll in the Looking Glass was privileged to play a small part

 in a family's very special celebration

Wishing Happy Ever Afters to the bridal couple!

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining 

Monday Marketplace at Common Ground
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

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!

Dolls Featured at Victoria Etc.

The July issue of Victoria Etc. magazine has been released.

Two of our Dress-Up Toddler dolls

are featured in this publication.

You may be wondering what we mean

when we reference our dolls as Dress-Up Toddlers. 

You control the personality of your doll! 

Pick your favorite facial expression from our in-stock dolls

and then browse our wardrobe closet

for the perfect clothing to dress your creation.

Want ruffles and lace?  We have party dresses.

Want contemporary?  You'll find casual styles too.

The dark-eyed, dark-haired beauty pictured above

is created from the Sammy expression. 

She is dressed in a cute print jumper

with scenes of the city of Paris.

Her attire is finished with a striped shirt

and a perky headband to accent her hair.

Don't you want to pinch the cheeks of this sweetie

as she gazes up at you with her blue eyes.

She was created from our Jordan expression

and wears a rosy pink shirtdress

accented with cotton lace at the sleeves.

The girls have found a shady spot in the garden

the perfect location for sharing a sweet treat.

This photo of the two dolls together

 provides a good illustration

of the skin tone differences between

the Light and Extra Light skin tones available.

The doll on the left has Light skin tone which 

gives her a suntan appearance.

The doll on the right has the Extra Light skin tone

which has a pink glow.

Shop our boutique at this link

to see other dolls that are available.

If you are not familiar with Victorian Etc.,

their articles cover history of the Victorian people, 

as well as their lifestyle, customs and crafts.

You can read the current edition of Victorian Etc. here.

Doll in the Looking Glass advertisement is on page 24.

The July edition of Victorian Etc. has special

feature articles on old-time Hollywood stars 

and is titled "Hurray for Hollywood".

This on-line magazine is free and

you can provide your e-mail address at their home page

and receive future issues directly into your inbox.

I'm sure you will enjoy reading it.

Until next time, live and love well.

Sharing with
Monday Marketplace at Common Ground 
Market Your Biz at Homemaker on a Dime

You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E

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!

New Clothing Added to Custom Doll Boutique

New clothing selections to dress your custom doll

 have been added to our boutique.

An adorable navy romper is now available.

Pale pink binding accents the leg openings,

front pocket and straps.

The romper is accessorized with a cream sweater

featuring a pink poodle applique.

The pink toy poodle is included with this clothing choice.

Black and bright pink make a striking statement.

The jumper is black corduroy.

Accent stripes of pink plaid are at the hemline

with a heart applique of the same fabric on the front bodice.

The pink shirt features a collar of matching plaid fabric. 

Our model for the navy romper is one of our Dress Up Toddlers.

Dress-Up Guppy has Blonde hair and Blue eyes. 

Dress-Up Keiko models the black jumper.

Keiko has Dark Brown hair and Chocolate Eyes.

When you purchase

Dolls that Look Like Your Child

or Dress-Up Toddlers,

you choose your favorite clothing outfit

from our current selections to dress your doll.

Your doll will be delivered lovingly dressed

complete with coordinating shoes and socks/tights.

Visit our custom doll boutique

and create the doll of your dreams!

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!

Tika in the Spotlight

Tika wanted to stop over and meet

 all of the friends who visit 

the Doll in the Looking Glass blog.

Tika is a lovely toddler

with Ocean Green eyes and Chestnut Brown hair.

Her hair is pulled back and falls in a cascade of wavy curls.

Like every little girl, she loves to play dress-up!

For her visit, she picked out a couple of favorite outfits

to model for you.

She looks picture perfect for dress-up occasions

wearing a pastel yellow crystal-organza dress

that is trimmed with white beading lace.

Tika can also be ready for play

in a casual brown corduroy jumper

with a giraffe applique on the front.

The outfit has a coordinating turtle-neck shirt

that repeats the markings found on the giraffe applique.

Tika is one of the Dress-Up Toddlers

available through Doll in the Looking Glass,

a custom doll boutique.  

Purchase Tika 

-- or any of the other Dress-Up Toddler dolls --

 and choose your favorite clothing outfit

from our current selections to dress your doll.

Your doll will be delivered lovingly dressed

 complete with coordinating shoes and socks/tights.   

Tika was fond of the color yellow for this photo shoot

but there are lots of clothing selections available.

You  are certain to find a special outfit

to make your doll uniquely yours.

Tika sends her love!

Until next time, live and love well.

Participating at Monday Marketplace at Common Ground

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!

A Peek at Back Detailing

Are you looking for a special doll to accent that small chair in your bedroom?   For a truly romantic environment, a doll that is dressed in ruffles and lace could offer that vintage charm you are seeking.

Today's spotlight is on two of the dresses currently in available in our boutique that you can select for your custom doll creation.  The front of each dress features a white bib collar with beaded lace down the center and an underlay of pastel satin ribbon.  Gathered lace trims the collar edge and a ribbon rose adds the finishing touch to the delicate bodice.

You really must see the detailing on the back of these dresses.   The collars reach across the shoulders and continue to the waistline.  Their ruffled skirts scoop up in the back to show off a white underskirt that is covered with rows of lace.  To be honest, the back of these dresses may be prettier than the front!

Back of Product G0716 - Rose Dress

Product G0716 as Pictured on Website

Back of Product G0715 - Lavender Floral Dress

Product G0715 as Pictured on Website

Contact Doll in the Looking Glass to see how easy it is to create the doll of your dreams!