Everyone Needs Playtime

In our hectic, modern lives, many of us focus so heavily on work and family commitments that we never seem to have time for pure fun. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we stopped playing.

When we carve out some leisure time, we’re more likely to zone out in front of the TV or computer than engage in fun, rejuvenating play like we did as children. But play is not just essential for kids; it can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as well.

There doesn’t need to be any point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourself. By giving yourself permission to play with the joyful abandon of childhood, you can reap oodles of health benefits throughout life.

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Challenge Meme

Seven years ago I issued a challenge to celebrate 20 years of the modern BJD, that I had also done three years previously. As things have be...

Wednesday

Transformation of Dolly Dingle

It was February 2020 when I found this very cute 1997 Dolly Dingle Garnet doll by Karen Kennedy for Goebel on Etsy. I didn't realise it then, but she would become one of my very favourite dolly makeovers.


My little foundling arrived wearing her original dress, undies, socks, shoes, hair bow, but I wasn't at all interested in keeping them . . . I had other plans for her.


Dolly Dingle was in wonderful condition and had great eyes which really spoke to me. She makes me smile and has the funniest face I've ever seen on a doll . . . it looks like someone has sat on it!


Though if you look below at the original 1922, 1923, 1924 versions of Grace Drayton's Dolly Dingle paper doll illustrations which were published in the Pictorial Review, I think it's probably the closest representation of Grace's idea of rosie cheeks the manufacturers could muster.


It's these illustrations which I based my Dolly Dingle on, none of which have a top knot or ponytail on top of her head.


I had to remove her wig, wash and completely restyle it. I'm so pleased with the way it turned out, now we can all see her eyebrows.



Finally my Dolly Dingle, or as I prefer to call her, Dee Dee, as she is now. Do you think I did Grace's illustrations justice?

 

NOTE: Born Grace Gebbie on 14th October, 1877 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grace was considered to be one of the first and most successful American female cartoonists, she was also an illustrator of children's books, postcards, fashion pages and magazine covers. You will also find her work (1904-1911) signed Grace Wiederseim or G G Wiederseim.
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7 comments:

  1. Fantasywoods30 September

    You nailed the look on the illustrations. I love 20s cartoon style, and she looks just like them. The hair already was a huge improvement. To me her face looks like she's hiding some secrets, maybe she knows where you hide the candy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Xanadu01 October

      Thanks Alejandra. Do you have any favourite illustrators from that period? Hehehe! So she's a secretive candy 'napper, I like that. 😘

      Delete
    2. Fantasywoods01 October

      oh not really but I do like the aesthetic. It reminds me of the paper dolls I used to play with as a child.

      Delete
  2. Barb the Evil Genius02 October

    You really improved Dolly's look and made her look more appropriate for her original time period. Grace also created the Campbell's Kids, who were used in ads for Campbell's soups. There were boys and girls of different ages and hair colors, but they all had that quintessential face with the chubby cheeks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Xanadu02 October

      Thanks Barb. Yes, I did know that, but I don't think, as cute as they were, they were not as well drawn as her DD paper dolls. Perfect for advertising though . . . she was extremely clever.

      Delete
  3. Inesa Dolls04 October

    I really loved the photos of the updated doll. She has transformed so much and looks so cute and neat. The photos by the table and fireplace are so cozy 🎀

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Xanadu04 October

      Thank you Inesa, I really appreciate your thoughts. 😘

      Delete

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