Every Good and Perfect Gift

Throughout my years as a collector, writing, blogging, communicating with fellow bloggers, and others who share or understand my passion for Black dolls, I have formed lasting friendships and been part of enriching doll networks and groups of like-minded people.

I am taking the time now to thank those who have been part of one or more of my circle of doll-friends many of whom have sent unexpected gifts my way this year.

First of all, I want to thank all the dedicated readers/followers of this blog.  I greatly appreciate those who share their input through comments and also those who are not as vocal but continue to read my posts and often contact me directly.

In no certain order, and I hope I do not omit anyone, below are some of the doll gifts I have received this year from those in my close circle of doll friends and from acquaintances.

Circa 1960s church fan features a praying girl with a doll.

In a recent email from Sherry Howard of Myauctionfinds.com, I was asked if I collect doll memorabilia.  After my "yes" answer, Sherry graciously sent me this delightful church fan that in my estimate, dates back to the '60s or possibly a decade earlier.  The caption on the lower right of the fan with the image of an adorable little girl involved deeply in prayer as her brown baby doll sleeps, reads:  "Bless Dolly Too."  Used in advertising by Hinton and Pennick Funeral Service of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, their name and motto, Our aim is to be worthy of your friendship" appear on the back of the fan.  Thank you, again, Sherry!  Some of Sherry's other church fan finds can be seen here.

Cloth doll plastic bag holder and Santa door ornament

Ms. Harper was a long-time member of my Yahoo Group! WeLoveBlackDolls.  She is now a member of my private Facebook group.  This week I received an unexpected package that contained a 24-inch cloth doll that serves as a plastic bag holder.   The package from Ms. Harper also included an African American Santa door ornament.  Both, shown above, are so delightful and warmly received.  Thank you, again, Ms. Harper for thinking of me!

Senegalese boy, Issa Pouye, by Mme. Fabinta Lo

In a package from Paulette of Limbe Dolls, that contained the much-needed Monster High limbs I knew I was receiving, was another unexpected gift.  Seen first here in a guest post written by Paulette about the doll's artist, Issa Pouye was a pleasant surprise upon arrival in his own cloth drawstring bag.  His artist, Mme. Fabinta Lo makes dolls representing traditional aspects of Senegalese culture and history.  After learning about Mme. Lo's dolls through Paulette's post about her work, we (the artist and I) became Facebook friends.  It was my immediate desire to own at least one of her dolls.  Thanks to Paulette, now I do.  As described by Paulette in her guest post, "Issa Pouye is from the Peul ethnic group.  The Peul are traditionally nomadic herders, but Issa has left his rural village to attend school in the city."  Here he is surrounded by many dolls who were not familiar with his culture before now. 

1960s Dress Me-type doll and So In Style Grace with Courtney Goes to the Salon

After participating in a doll museum photo-sharing project hosted by one of the members of the So In Style Fan Club, I received a certificate of participation and unexpected gifts from the project host (JB).  One of the gifts was a vintage, Dexter's circa 1960s dress me-type fashion doll. So In Style Grace with Courtney Goes to the Salon doll set was another.  Thank you again, JB for your generosity!

Paper doll and cutout books published by LaVerne Hall

I placed an order for a sock doll and a clothespin doll from LaVerne Hall, who sent along several of her published paper dolls and additional doll artist-related literature.  Thank you again, LaVerne for your generous gifts.  A blog post featuring my sock doll and clothespin doll by Laverne is forthcoming. 

SIS Baby Phat Kara and Prom Grace

This year I received dolls and other items from Kimberley Wallace, founder and moderator of the So In Style Fan Club.  These were sent after my participation in fan club events.  Two of the dolls received, Grace and Kara, are shown above.

In May of this year, near my birthday, I received this beautiful hand-sewn white dress from Ms. Betty Ativie along with a pair of lace anklet socks as a "just because gift," which I blogged about here.  In a note accompanying the dress and socks, Betty referred to the items as a "just-because gift."  Although they arrived around the time of my birthday, Betty had no prior knowledge of my date of birth. Thank you again for sharing your sewing talents with me and my dolls, Betty!

1996 Clueless doll fashion and Lucky Locket Kiddles boxed paper doll set (1968).

Ms. S. has been a blessing to me for the years I have known her.  I have received several items from her throughout the years.  This year I received a Clueless doll fashion and Lovely Locket Kiddles boxed paper doll set, which are shown above.  Both remain very much appreciated. 

Tressy finally has a headband to replicate her original 1970s headband.  Cinnamon, who has her original outfit, has a new pale peach fashion with matching headband, orange blouse, and a shoulder bag to wear courtesy of Ms. Gauley. 

Earlier this year, email correspondent turned doll-friend, and fellow collector, Ms. Gauley, had items made for two of my Ideal Crissy grow-hair family dolls.  A replacement headband was made for Tressy and a pair of too-cute overalls with matching blouse and shoulder bag were made for Cinnamon.  Thank you, again, Ms. Gauley!

After receipt, I blogged about my "I Can Be" (Little Wyatt)  here.  The doll and now framed poem received from talented doll artist, Wyatt Hicks, will be forever treasured!  Thank you again, Wyatt!

Circa 1940s Black Americana tea bell mammy and circa 1950s beaded Zulu doll

After the death of Maya Angelou in May of this year, I entered and won a Facebook contest for an autographed copy of Maya Angelou's book, Mom & Me & Me & Mom.  The contest was conducted by noted author and heir of her mother's extensive doll collection, Jo Maeder.  The above pictured circa 1940s Black Americana tea bell mammy and circa 1950s beaded Zulu doll had been part of her mother's collection.  After announcing me as the winner, Jo asked if I would be willing to accept the pair as a gift along with the autographed book I won.  Of course, I answered, "Yes!"    Thank you, again, Jo!

Shindana's Kimmie dressed as a bride

Shindana's Kimmie, circa 1968, dressed as a bride, was a gift from fellow black-doll enthusiast, Linda Hayes, as a thank you for posting some of her dolls for sale on this blog over a several-week period.  Kimmie is a welcome addition to my Shindana doll collection.  Thank you again, Linda!

Cutie Pops Candi (stock photo from Amazon.com)

Fellow collector and doll friend, Cheryl Bruce sent Cutie Pops Candi by Jada Toys to me as part of a Pay it Forward Facebook challenge I participated in this year.  In January, Cheryl posted the challenge details as a status update.  Essentially, the first five people to respond in a comment that they were "in" would receive a surprise from her sometime during the year.  The surprise could be something purchased, something homegrown, a book, or something the recipient would like.  I was one of the five people to comment.  In turn, I had to post the Pay if Forward challenge details as a Facebook status update and likewise send surprises to the first five people to post a comment that they were also willing to participate.  Cutie Pops was my surprise from Cheryl and was she ever a surprise. Before receiving the doll I had no prior knowledge of her existence.  Thank you again, Cheryl!

Queens of Africa Nneka, a gift from Mr. Taofick Okoya, founder of the Queens of Africa dolls

In March of this year, I received a Queens of Africa (QoA) doll from Mr. Taofick Okoya, creator of the QoA dolls.  Nneka, shown above, was custom made for me.  Without knowing peach is my favorite color, the doll's costume is various shades of peach and burnt orange.  After reading one of my posts about the Queens of Africa dolls, Mr. Okoya sent me a message through Facebook informing me of his plan to have a doll custom made for me.  My gratitude for his kind gesture continues.  Incidentally, from US-based seller, Slice by Cake, I recently purchased another doll produced as a result of Mr. Okoya's dedicated efforts to provide dolls of color for Nigerian children.  My newest doll is a Princess of Africa and has a different head sculpt than the queens.  A separate blog post about my newly acquired doll will soon follow.

Again, I hope I have not missed naming anyone who gave dolls and doll-related items to me this year.  To each and every one of you, I extend a huge heartfelt thanks.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. -- James 1:17


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