Thursday, December 17, 2020

Playing with Dolls


 I play with dolls....now I've said it! Are you happy now?

Well, it makes me happy and life is too short to spend it all doing chores! I've been keeping my house tidy these past few months. I can't stand to stay inside so much and have clutter.


And I didn't want to do as much this year with holiday decorations. (I looked back at this post and this may seem like WAY too much clutter to some people! lol But everything is in place and that's what I need...pretty things all in place!)

So I decided to make a little holiday tea party on the doll's bed. I didn't even change everyone's clothes! 


I did put a cute little reindeer onesie on this little doll.

These are all dolls from around 1960 and dolls just like the ones I had at the time. I bought them from a sweet lady on Etsy. I don't know how she could sell her childhood dolls but I'm happy to have them.


And my girlfriend Pat has made wooden 'paper dolls' for me over the years.


So I got out Santa...


and Mrs. Claus!


And the dolls changed their outfits. (really they did)


Have you taken time to do something just for the fun of it this week? 


I'm thankful to have some toys to play with and good health and so many other things! My gratitude list is LONG!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!


44 comments:

MadSnapper said...

Play on! we should all play with what we love to play with. I have never seen wooden paper dolls, I LOVE THESE! wow, i would play with them if i had them. great idea, as a child i had an old suitcase full of paper dolls. love your teaparty on the bed

Sandy said...

The dolls are adorable and I would love to come join your little tea party.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh I don’t know how I’ve missed your wooden paper doll collection before, but I love Mr and Mrs Claus. And just the idea of “paper” dolls that you can keep forever makes me happy. I loved playing paper dolls (decades before you did!).... more memories of them than of my other dolls, now that I think of it. Huh, how funny is that!

Lea said...

Fun!
Merry Christmas!

Martha said...

This is so cute, I love it. Have fun playing with your pretty dolls!

Edna B said...

Ooooooo, I LOVE paper dolls. I never saw these wooden ones, but I love them. I think playing with dolls should be required. No matter how old we get, there's still be a bit of child in each of us. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.

Happy@Home said...

Now that looks like fun! I had a doll like that until I did the massive moving purge. Hopefully she is now making someone else happy. Perhaps she is having a tea party too :). I love your Santa & Mrs. Claus paper dolls.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Diane,

Your dolls are pretty, you do have a great collection. I have never seen the wooden paper dolls. Etsy seems to have everything, don't they?
Have fun, enjoying what you like to do. My fun today is helping hubby shovel the 10-11 inches of snow in our driveway and deck. Take care, have a happy day!

Tom said...

...what a collection, mine are all packed away!

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Those wooden paper dolls are amazing!!!! Have never seen anything like them!!!

Hope she makes and sells them. What a unique product.

As always, we each do what is the nicest and best for us. Especially in Christmas decorating.

Greetings from the North Pole!

⛄ 🎄 🎅 🎁 ⛄

The Feminine Energy said...

Honey, you play with whatever it is that brings you joy. We've all got to "dig deep" for the joy this holiday season and I'm glad you've found yours!! I love your sweet dollies!! ~Andrea xoxo

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, my! You are speaking my language now!! Now I don't feel so bad that I spend a lot of my "spare time" playing with dolls and toys and trains. It seems to be the only really pleasant escape from the world these days. That and just getting ready for Christmas in general. I haven't been out walking as much as the weather is fickle these days and I have been physically achy and stiff so I play indoors. Your dolls are WONDERFUL! And I LOVE those paper doll Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus! How on earth did your friend make those? Amazing!!! I love them! Your little dolly tea party looks like so much fun. I wish I could bring my dollies over to play and have tea with your dollies. We would have so much fun! When this stupid virus thing is over we have to have a play date...and invite Barbara and her dollies. That would be good for all of us. Thank you for sharing your sweet dollies and tea time with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out here still playing with dolls... Merry Christmas, "kindred spirit"!!

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Just checking back...I hope I hit the right button to publish my comment. Now I'm not so sure, and it was such a nice long one, wanting come play dollies with you. I love your pretty dollies and their tea party, and I would so love to bring my dollies and have a tea party with you sometime. We would have such fun! And those wooden paper dolls are amazing! I've never seen anything like them! This was so much fun, and I am glad to know that I am not the only one playing with dolls, trains, and toys this Christmas. Sometimes we just have to do what helps us cope... Merry Christmas. If you get two messages from me it is because I apparently did publish the other one, but for some reason I think I messed up and didn't do it. So here you go!

Lorrie said...

I love those wooden paper dolls - such a great idea! I don't play with dolls anymore, but I love playing silly games with my grandchildren. Playing is so much fun! And it's good for us!

Susie said...

Diane, What a cute tea party. I love the dolls. What fun. Blessings, be safe. xoxo,love Susie

Michelle said...

Enjoy those dolls! Good for you for having something to give you so much joy. I have to say, those wooden paper dolls are so cute! Thanks for linking up and stay well.

Home Sewn By Us said...

I think you should do what you enjoy! Nothing wrong with playing with dolls, and what a nice assortment you have. ~smile~ Roseanne

Debbie said...

we should all do what we love to do...we certainly have plenty of time for it!! in my free time i knit, crochet and work on crafts!! i like mr. and mrs. claus, they are adorable!!

i cleaned so much in the beginning of the pandemic and no one was able to come over and see it. now, i guess i do, but i have less enthusiasm!! it's nice to have christmas things to do, sending cards, baking and wrapping presents...things like that!!

NanaDiana said...

Oh! So wonderful, Diane. I only have one doll from my childhood- a Susie Walker (I think). I had two baby dolls that were made of rubber and they disintegrated over the years. Love that you have that sweet collection! xo Diana

Terri D said...

Those wooden 'paper' dolls are amazing!! Looks like you had some fun with your dolls!! Thanks for sharing!

Arlene G said...

Love Love Love. Those baby dolls look like the one my grandchildren call creepy. What is wrong with kids today????

PaintedThread said...

Those dolls are great! What a fun idea. A lot more sturdy than paper.

Teresa said...

Se ve muy bonita tu colección de muñecas. Besos y se feliz.

Anonymous said...

What fun, Diane! The tea party and participants are perfect! Love the reindeer onesie! My favorite are the wooden paper dolls. So adorable!!

happyone said...

Keep on having fun and be happy.
I went out in the snow and made snow angels. :)

Connie said...

You're right life is too short so do the things you enjoy as long as you're not hurting anybody else, what does it matter. Play with dolls, sing out loud, or go outside and play hopscotch on the sidewalk. Enjoy yourself!
I was always a paper doll girl so I really love your wooden paper dolls. I can see decorating a tree with those, so sweet.
Merry Christmas!
Connie :)

Rosemary Dickinson said...

This post is just too cute! I love dolls and you set yours up so nicely! This is so fun! Continue to enjoy and hopefully things will get better soon!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

It looks like you've been having lots of fun with your dolls! I have kept a Jo doll (from Little Women) and Raggedy Andy that my mom made and they are always out at my house and getting their own quilts. They make me smile!

Ann said...

I love all your dolls. That reindeer onesie is adorable. Playing is a good thing.

Sandi Magle said...

Oh, your dollies are adorable and those paper/wood dolls are precious...what a gift. Hugs, and have some fun with your toys...! Sandi

Danice G said...

Precious dolls and clothing. At my age, I still love dolls too. It is OK, lol. Happy holiday wishes!

Linda said...

Cute! Have a good weekend.

BeachGypsy said...

Tansy are honored and we accept your invitation! LOL Your dolls all look so pretty in their pretty little dresses and those wooden paper dolls are adorable, and so unique, I've never seen anything like them. I have not got my dolls out and put them in their Christmas dresses, I should do that. That Tansy is always out and about, running to and fro, hither and yon, though....changing her outfits several times a day and strewing her tiny shoes and lil pocketbooks about! LOL If i get my dolls into their Christmas dresses, I will take them and photograph them and share with you. How was your hike today my friend? Oh I love hiking on chilly days...bundle up in layers and put on a big bulky sweater and shawl and hat....and away we go! Hope the weather was perfect and not too cold for y'all. Happy weekend my friend!

Inger said...

The dolls with Mrs. Claus are wearing Scandinavian clothes, as they should I guess since they must live somewhere in one of those countries. There's a big Santa's village in northern Finland, complete with his workshop and, of course, his reindeer. In Sweden, Santa is accompanied, not by reindeer, but by a goat.

If one ever met you in real life, dear Diane, one would get a big hug, right? I so miss hugs.

Barbara said...

As you know, I've not been commenting on blogs much at all these past several weeks, but what a delight that on the day I decide to read your blog, it's Doll Party Day!!!

I love all your little friends and the cheeriness they provide. That onesie with the reindeer on the back is A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E!!!

The 2 deer in your header are great, too! What a good photo!

Jeanie said...

I love the tea party -- but the paper dolls just grabbed me and kept looking and looking at the details! These are such fun and so merry!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

I so enjoy his post!! It is just a delight! I love the paperdolls! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

I have to admit that I was never really into dolls--not even as a child, tho I liked Barbie for awhile because of the clothes. However, my sister had some paper dolls and I remember that being so fun that they've always kind of interested me--again I think because of the clothes. Happy playing!

SImple and Serene Living said...

We are absolutely never too old to play with dolls, and yours are so cute. xo Laura

Aunt Helen said...

Oh, Diane, I loved seeing your dolls and Santa's! But, I did not see Wendy anywhere! Is she excited for Santa's visit? Looking forward to seeing Wendy on you next presentation! Love, Aunt Helen

Red Rose Alley said...

Oh, your doll posts are so delightful, Diane. And those wooden paper dolls! I always thought that paper dolls were so magical growing up, and to this day, I still love them. That was such a thoughtful gift of your friend to give them to you, and it looks like you have them in a special box and take good care of them. The doll's tea party looks sweet, and so glad you have these little gems to bring you joy.

~Sheri

It's me said...

This is so nice...love Ria 🍀💕🍀

dq said...

THis was a great read. I LOVED paper dolls as a child! Those wooden ones are wonderful!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Love your dolls, and your display. Also your bird pics in the next post and the river house and the bald cypress. There are some areas in the west that have Tamarack and they too lose their needles, they get the most beautiful yellow to orange, then brown and drop.