Bella and the blanket

Meet Bella - isn't she cute?!

I have had her for ages, but am ashamed to say that I had put here away and forgotten all about her until I was looking for a crochet blanket I wanted to make a bit bigger!

I finished this crochet a while ago, but felt that it was just a bit too small, so I found some matching yarn and added to it.  It now measures 39 inches by 30 inches - just right for a lap blanket.  Love the autunman colours - so does Bella.  Don't you think they match?

It's been a bit of a crochet crazy weekend here at Shortbread Towers!  But I'm delighted to have finished this beauty.  Now back to my cross stitch while listening to Boom Radio - best radio since the wonderful Terry Wogan stopped broadcasting.  If you love music from the 50s, 60s, and 70s then you will adore this station.  Give it a try - at the moment Melody Fair (1969) by the Bee Gees is playing - wonderful!  I've got some recorded episodes of "The Royal" to watch tonight.  It is set in the 1960s.  Didn't watch it first time round but love it now.  (Is it wrong to live in the past?)

We've been warned that there's another storm heading our way, so its nice to cosy up with the things I love and try and ignore the wind outside!  Stay safe and cosy my friends.

Love, Liz

It's not what they say, but how they say it!

If you thought my doll Poor Margaret was strange then you might not like this post.

I'm sure we've all had a talking doll at some point.  I had one, her name was Joan, she said "Mama" if you bent her forward.  I loved her very much, but eventually, probably due to overuse, she started sounding like a constipated sheep and just uttered a sort of "mwa" bleating sound!

I discovered on the Smithsonian (I do the daily Sudoku) website an article about talking dolls.  Seemingly way back in time when the phonograph was just in its infancy in 1890, Thomas Edison's company made dolls that spoke!  Can you imagine the novelty that would have been in those days?!  Someone has now managed to record what these sounded like.  Warning - they are very spooky!  Go to the Smithsonian site - but not if you are of a delicate constitution!

I did warn you!

Love, Liz

Cupboard of the Dolls

I was looking out some toys for a little visitor to play with and came across my dolls in a cupboard.

I loved Tressy - remember the little advertising song "her hair grows".  I made lots of clothes for her, especially knitted dolls clothes.  Here's a previous post about Tressy.

Margaret was another doll I had when I was very young - can't say I loved her - think perhaps it shows.  But she is still around!  You can read Margaret's story, but beware, it is not for the faint hearted!

I also had a collection of costume dolls - not to play with, of course - just for ornament.

Did you keep your dolls and did you have a favourite?

Those eyes freak me out a bit!

Have a great weekend.
Love, Liz

Dolls In National Costume

Did your aunties ever bring you back dolls in national costume from their foreign holidays?  That's how I acquired these - many, many moons ago!

 

 

The dark haired one is from Ireland, I think - I'm going to call her Colleen.

 

Not sure where the other one is from ... Scandinavia, perhaps. I'm sure someone out there will let me know.  I'm going to call her Ingrid.  She is a really well made doll - her legs and arms move and her hair is lovely.

 

I used to have a collection (well, about six, including Wales and Scotland) - my aunties didn't venture too far!

And, yes, before you ask ......... they are both wearing knickers ........ the dolls that is, not the aunties (although I'm sure they did too)!

 

Love, Liz