Hi everyone,
I managed to get the snaps sewn on the back of “Summer Lace”… Yes, that name was thought of by our own Marilyn… She mentioned it and I loved it. Helen thought of “Summer’s Delight” for Mae and look how that ended! YAY! So we’ll see how Summer Lace works out. I got the dress hemmed by hand too, but the pictures looked almost exactly like they did last night, so I decided to pass and go with something else. I have a few ideas for the neck piece using the button and hope to show them tomorrow.
But today we have a treat from Dorothy in PA! She sent pictures of her time at the Doll Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. The rest is all Dorothy narrating…
If you click on any picture it will enlarge!
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The United Federation of Doll Clubs held its annual convention from July 23 through July 27 in Kansas City, Missouri. UFDC celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Safiah my Travel Doll is taking us on a tour of the UFDC Museum. She is an 8-inch Madame Alexander doll.
In the first photo, Safiah is standing beside a case holding a photo of Mary Lewis, founder of UFDC.
In photo two, Safiah is elbow to elbow with Miss Unity. She is the symbol for UFDC.
Photo three shows Safiah posed in front of a display of the US postage stamps created to honor doll collecting.
With photo four, we meet a Polly Heckewelder doll in pink. She was created by the Moravian Ladies Sewing Society, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This is Barbara’s hometown!
Here is a link to more information about the creation of the dolls, which began in 1861.
Click on the ladies in the picture and you will be taken to the website.
For photo five, we travel to the Toy and Miniature Museum, which had a special exhibit of Black dolls.
In photo six, we see a few of the dolls on display.
Also in the Museum was a wonderful exhibit of miniature doll houses. In photo seven, there is one from Lebanon, PA!
Information about the family of children who owned the doll house is in photo eight.
(I think this picture might be missing…)”Jeanne”
Of course, I found a tearoom for us to visit. Photos nine, ten, and eleven show how lovely it is. Safiah just wouldn’t be still.
In photo twelve, we see Safiah at the ending banquet. She got pressed into babysitting as a Mama brought a little one and needed some help.
The Convention was so much fun. I got to meet in person many Zoom friends. I got to attend meal events and seminars and programs. I got to shop in the salesroom and buy raffle tickets (which are called “helpers” in the doll world).
Most of all, I got to talk “dolls” for an entire week! I think I am still feeling a bit euphoric. Don’t worry it IS catching (laugh).
Next year, the Convention will be in Norfolk, Virginia. The theme is Dolls and All That Jazz. It will be held between July 22 and July 26.
The maker of the souvenir doll will be Robert Tonner! His dolls are amazing. I purchased one in the salesroom. He spoke at our local Doll Club luncheon in June. We won’t know what the souvenir doll looks like until the banquet on the last night of Convention. When the boxes are opened, that is when the oohing and aahing is audible and there are shouts of glee.
Right now there isn’t any 2025 Convention information on the UFDC website but there will be soon. In the meantime, local doll clubs are holding their doll shows and sales. There is sure to be one near you.
Here is a link to the UFDC calendar:
https://www.ufdc.org/calendar/
I will keep you updated as information is available. Happy dolly days!
Well, Jeanne, that’s a ton of information.
Hugs from Harrisburg,
Dorothy in PA and the World!
Thanks SO much for sharing your time at the convention, Dorothy! That was FUN! Tell Safiah we all enjoyed her showing us around… and I loved BOTH her pink dresses! I’m sure everyone will be zooming in on their favorite pictures to see all the details. I’m so glad you had a wonderful time… We can’t wait to see your new “purchase!” (If you want to share!)
Thanks again,
Blessings, Jeanne
Congratulations on the sale of Mae’s lovely outfit. I would imagine she’s already in your fabrics, digging for her her choice to use in her next dress!
Dorothy, thank you for sharing your pictures of the convention, and for Safiah’s part in them, too. I well remember the American Dolls stamps–used several sheets of them when they were available! My favorites were the Betsy McCall and the Maggie Mix-up. (Have always loved that Maggie face!) I also enjoyed seeing the Polly Heckewelder doll, and reading about the Moravian Sewing Society and the beautiful dolls they make. And that dollhouse reminds me a bit of the big dollhouse that used to reside in the now defunct Rosalie Whyel doll museum out here in Bellevue, WA. I was there a number of times, and was a member; I was so sad when she closed it.
So glad you found a tearoom to enjoy!!
Some of you who are my Facebook friends, too, already know this , but today we got Hospice involved in my husband’s care. In the last few weeks, he has failed very rapidly. When he first got out of the hospital, he seemed to be improving, but that has since changed. It was a difficult decision, but really the only logical one, and best for him, as well as for his caregivers. Hospice comes to his adult family home, and they can assist with things like showers and such. There are also additional comfort meds that are available if they are needed. Our son was here today and visited his dad, and then helped me here at the house with some things. And our former daughter-in-law Kim and the two youngest grandsons may come and visit this weekend.
Very sorry to hear about Ron. Hospice was so helpful for us with my father in law. Take care of yourself too.
So very sorry to hear about Ron, Charlotte. Prayers for you both.
So sorry to hear about Ron. I know this is very difficult for you but you are amazing in the way you handle things. My mother was in hospice after she had her stroke. They were wonderful and it was great to have a more relaxed atmosphere for visiting. But Ron will still be in the adult family home so he won’t have to adjust to a new place. Prayers for all of your family through this time. We all know they are inevitable but that sure doesn’t make it any easier. But you and Ron have a great, supportive family and that’s truly a blessing.
Dear Charlotte, I am so sorry to hear your news. I will continue to pray for strength for your family during these difficult times.
Thanks for your kind words about my little contribution to Jeanne’s site.
Wow, Jeanne, what a nice sale for you last night!
Thank you, Jeanne for showing us what dear Dorothy sent you to show us! I have been wondering when we would see some pictures of the convention, and here they are! What a wonderful time you must have had, Dorothy, and I enjoyed each and every picture you sent!
I was wondering about the name you have given to your doll, Safiah. It is quite an unusual name! Is there any special reason she has it? She certainly is a darling doll, and looks very much like my Madame Alexander storybook dolls!
It had a few of those doll stamps too, and saw a few in your picture that I didn’t know about. What interesting items, the Moravian dolls, the Black dolls, and the wonderful dollhouse! I could have spent hours just looking! The Black dolls remind me of Addy’s doll, Ida Bean, a little rag doll for AG Addy. By the way, are those little black dolls on Safiah’s dress from that museum? It is darling!
The tea house looks just wonderful, what an array of different teas, and I had to smile at that last picture with Safiah “babysitting”! So cute!
Thank you again for sending the pictures!
Charlotte, I am praying for both Ron and you. I think you are doing the right thing for Ron. They will take care of him well, as I know when we had home hospice care for my father. It made things easier for my mother and she was able to be with him during his care.
Dear Linda, thank you for your comments.
Safiah’s name comes from a Jane Austen movie, Sense and Sensibility. Willoughby’s wife was called Safiah. I loved the sound of it and knew I would give it to some doll.
Safiah’s dress is an Alexander ensemble called Friends Around The World (or something like that).
Some of my friends in doll club have the Polly doll. I don’t have one as they are very expensive! I had seen the exhibit on Black Dolls in The Strong Museum in NY last year. I was happy to see it again. It is traveling but I don’t know where it will go next.
I always try to find a tearoom wherever I go. Emilie’s French Teas was lovely.
Now on to Norfolk (smile)!
congratulations on your sale.
This doll show is so lovely. Thank you Jeanne and Dorothy
Dear Rosemary B, thank you for your nice words. I had fun putting this together for Jeanne.
Thank you Dorothy and Jeanne for sharing the pictures. With so much to look at I almost missed the dolls on Safiah’s dress so thank you Linda for mentioning them. That dress is adorable. I’m sure I’ll see more details as I re-examine the pics again and again.
Charlotte you and Ron are in my prayers and I’m glad more help is there for you both. This will give you and Ron more together time. Please let Ron know well wishes are coming his way.
Where’s Karen? Any baby news? The last few waiting days seem long for all of us. I’m praying for an easy fast delivery.
Have a great day all.
Thanks for sharing all the pictures and the information, Dorothy and Jeanne! I want to look at it more closely when I have time.
You and Ron are in our prayers, Charlotte! Hang in there!
Thanks for asking about the baby and for all your prayers, Dorothy!! They are appreciated!
Yesterday was a midwife appointment and we used a fetal heart monitor to observe his heartbeat maybe for half an hour. It was in the lower average range, but still all right. I think he was sleeping part of the time. After that was an ultrasound appointment, so we got to see him in a blurry sort of way. Everything is fine. Enough amniotic fluid, head is low. The tech estimated his weight to be 7 lb, 10 ounces, which is my biggest baby. He has some hair growing on his head. He was playing with his toes 🙂 He seemed to be sleeping again part of the time, because it took a long time for her to see him practice breathing (I had to move around some). He was also pretty active during part of the ultrasound. It was so nice the tech put a sheet on the floor, so my daughters could sit on it and it was nice she allowed them on the room. Tonight is a long Rosary walk at Church and I am not sure if it will wear me out with all the walking or if it will make the labor start. The midwife wants it to start soon. I might need to save up energy for it. Would be cool if he was born on the feast of the Assumption, but if he waited, we might can go to a little doll show on Saturday. 🙂
Praying for you, Karen. How nice your girls could get to see their brother in utero. I’ll bet everyone is super anxious to meet him. A doll show sounds like fun. I hope whatever is best for you happens.
Thanks so much, Laura!!
Exciting times. Hope he decides it is time soon. 🙂 Take care.
Thank you, Joy!
Dear Karen, sending blessings your way. One of our pastors is waiting for her child to be born also. I am praying for both of you.
Thank you, Dorothy!
Dear Dorothy, hello. I love your name by the way (laugh).
Thanks for asking about Safiah’s dress. Since folks were curious about it, I just went online and found it. It’s called Making New Friends.
It’s actually on a doll. She comes as White or African-American. She comes with two little dolls, one White and one Black. I didn’t get the doll. I just got the dress and I cannot remember when.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/481181541444073423/
Safiah, was a delightful tour guide. So glad Dorothy was able to bring her along, The photos of the activities and convention fun were great. Thanks so much for the information on the Moravian Church. My grandfather was Moravian, and is buried in Lititz.
So, what did Dorothy, buy? Always curious. Any new dolls or accessories? 🙂
Looking forward to seeing the finishing touches on Jeanne’s latest creation.
Early dentist appointment tomorrow. Why did I do that? Must remember to get a 10:00AM next time.
Dear Joy, I thought I remembered a connection to Lititz. We lived there for 4 years a while back. It is a lovely little town.
I did buy one doll. I bought a Robert Tonner Lizette, whom I renamed Ellena, also from Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. I have not yet taken a photo but I will send one to Jeanne when I do.
I am looking forward to more of your doll espionage stories.
Safiah was a delightful guide, Dorothy. I can see why you brought her along. It was wonderful seeing all the different displays. I happen to have that plate of American Dolls stamps. I loved both of her lovely pink dresses and the babysitting photo was too cute.
I’ll bet the tea room was fun. You’ll need to share your new doll with us.
Oh, and Dorothy, I did see you in the video and I had found you the first time. Yay! You could have done the “Queen’s wave” and you would have been a piece of cake to spot. LOL 😁😸
Dear Laura, hello. I had no idea that our Club President was going to make a video. I forget that people do those things as I still have an old flip phone. Next time I promise to do the royal Queen’s wave (laugh).
Safiah does like pink. She was so well behaved. She has been with me on many dolly adventures. We took the train to the Madame Alexander Doll Club convention in Salt Lake City a few years back. She does travel well (smile).
We had fun in the tearoom. The proprietor is French. I got to practice my very rusty high school French.
I will share a photo of my new doll (a Robert Tonner Lizette doll) named Ellena by me.
What delightful pictures! Thanks so much Dorothy for sharing and Jeanne for posting them. I enjoyed everyone. Safiah is such a little doll (no pun intended). She has such a sweet face. I love both her outfits and what a sweetie she was to agree to babysit so the baby’s mama could enjoy her meal in piece. I didn’t notice the border of Safiah’s dress until Linda mentioned it. Thanks, Linda. I need to go back and enlarge all the pictures to see more details. I also need to click on the links and read the stories.
I was helping my grandson, Skyy, weed my front gardens this morning so I was late getting to the blog. One of the beds of 4 o’clocks was totally destroyed by Beryl. They were doing fine until the storm. In the other bed the plants were more mature and hardier so they are doing well but we gave them a good watering. Seems like the only thing growing in the other bed was weeds. But in the bed that is doing well weeds were only where the 4 o’clocks were not yet growing so by next year we probably won’t have to weed that one at all since the plants spread themselves. As for the other one it’s back to square one but most likely not till next spring. Oh well, the best laid plans….
Dear Barbara, thank you for your kind words. I found information about Safiah’s dress and posted it with my comments to Dorothy L. You can find it above. The dress is on a doll called Making New Friends. I didn’t get the doll. I just got the dress. I don’t remember when though.
Did you see the Polly Heckewelder doll in the UFDC Museum? I thought of you! The doll was made in Bethlehem. I think I mentioned her to you before.
Jeanne is going to pass along my email address to you so we can e-chat about doll clubs.