July 4th in Pictures



Celebrating 4th of July, clockwise, Laura Tuzio Ross (Tevin-lying down), Adora (Jamar), Apple Valley doll kit (Milee), Middleton (1st Generation), and Adora (Name Your Own Baby) -- Photo taken in 2004

 
I viewed images of dolls dressed in Fourth of July-themed fashions dating back to 2004.  All outfits were either sewn by my friend, Debra Richardson, or courtesy of her.  I enjoyed looking at the photographs of dolls redressed in prior years as well as photographing this year's dolls redressed in fashions sewn by Debra and the new doll (dressed by the manufacturer) that I received from her.  I hope you enjoy the images, too.



Lil Bittie Kayla* by Lorna Miller Sands, First Generation (Middleton), Carisma* by Lorna Miller Sands celebrate the 4th of July 2005

 

Lorna Miller Sands' Carisma*, July 4, 2005

 

Lorna Miller Sands' Lil Bittie Kayla*, July 4, 2005

 


Vogue's Ginny, Kish's Anjali, Tonner's Dru* and Georgia* July 4, 2006

 


Kuki* by Annette Himstedt July 4, 2007

  

My Twinn dolls, Karen* and Berkeley*, July 2011



Robert Tonner's Dru dressed in "Anchors Aweigh" fashion (doll and fashion, a gift from D. Richardson), July 2011


 

Madame Alexander's American Flag Wendy last year's gift from Debra, rephotographed this year


*Dolls are dressed in fashions sewn by Debra Richardson.

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Every Girl is a Princess

Princess Arabella manufactured by Kessebes Toys

After visiting my blog, doll designer, author/illustrator, Mylo Freeman, kindly introduced me to Princess Arabella, a 15-inch cuddly doll.

Ms. Freeman wrote: 

I'm also trying to promote the black doll , since there are not many, let alone, nice black dolls for sale here in Europe (Amsterdam, Holland).

My aim is to let every little girl, through my dolls and books feel like a princess!

The inspiration (gleaned from Kessbestoys.com where the dolls are sold): 

Ms. Freeman heard a story about a small Surinam girl who could not believe that black princesses exist simply because the princesses we see are usually blond and blue-eyed.  This story touched her so that immediately she wanted to do something about it!  From her archive Mylo found a picture of this little black girl with beautiful tails. And there: princess Arabella was born!

While reading to children, Mylo wanted to use something that might appeal to them in a special way. So she made this large doll of Princess Arabella. And because there are not that many nice black dolls around, she decided to produce a series of dolls herself!

The 30-page, lift-the-flap book, Every Girl is a Princess (Clavis Publishing, March 1, 2011) features Princess Arabella and celebrates the world’s diversity.  It "introduces several little princesses from around the globe. Each princess is distinguished with her own favorite animal and unique crown. Showcasing the differences that make each person special, this cheerful and colorful exploration also includes a special ending that reveals the royalty behind every princess."  (Product description, Amazon.com, where the book and other titles by Ms. Freeman are available for sale.)


For more information about Princess Arabella and the other princesses Ms. Freeman writes about and has manufactured in doll form, visit her websites:  http://www.kessebestoys.com/  or http://www.mylofreeman.com/.


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Vintage Dolls Have Stories to Tell, An Exhibit

Topsy Turvy, Lester ventriloquist dolls, and Shindana's JJ from my personal collection

An exhibit of 120 vintage Black dolls from the collections of two brothers will be displayed from July 3, 2011, through mid-August 2011, from 5 to 8 p.m. at  the Eastville Community Historical Society, 139 Hampton Street, Sag Harbor, New York. 

The article, "Vintage Dolls Have Stories to Tell," by Annette Hinkle offers addtional information about the exhibit.  Read it here.

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