Has it actually been a whole year since the last Mad Tea Party? And I thought the last two Du Buh Du parties couldn’t be topped… Just look at these images:
Did you know that you could win one of these dolls OR a commissioned one? Go HERE for more details.
After taking my laptop in for repairs, I assumed that it would be a while until I got it back.
In the meantime, I’ve set up posts for some vintage stuff from The Big Piece of Cake: a little weekly feature called “Materialistic Monday” about stuff I was currently into (or just wishing I could afford to officially be into). So expect to see more of that this week.
And if you’re wondering what I’ll do about my Fifi Flowers givewaway, I think I’ll just keep it open until I can spring my laptop from the Geek Squad jail. So ENTER HERE!
November 17, 2008
Recently, I guest posted on this blog as myself at nine years old. One thing I remember most about that time is how much I still loved my dolls. I was in the end stage of dolls being age appropriate. I didn’t actually see the change coming, but this shift wasn’t lost on me at the time. I knew that it was becoming less common for girls my age to actually “play” with them – and more and more, I had to cloak my love of dolls in the guise of being a “collector.”
Of course, as I grew up, my interests diversified. But I have always just loved dolls. I live in fear that my daughter will be a die hard tomboy and I won’t be able to live vicariously through her as she plays with her own dolls.
So for this week’s Materialistic Monday, you can just imagine how much I covet THIS:
Emily of Inside A Black Apple has long been one of my Etsy favorites. Her whimsical paintings are sweet but always with a bit of an edge. And the little characters she creates are so original and lovable. But she really won me over with her dolls. This new one is probably my favorite so far.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any cuter…
Ohmygod it just did. I want ten please!
Sadly (for me) this one wasn’t for sale. It was made for a friend’s little girl. Kate Coveny, age nine, is currently writhing in jealously.
Here is another one that charmed me:
Seriously. A bear hat? I love it.
Even more frustrating, her wonderful dolls sell out of the shop within minutes (this seems to be a theme for my favorite Etsy stores…) So the chances of my ever getting a little blond one for my blond little girl – let alone buy one at all – are slim to none.
If I ever learn how to sew, I do have the option to make one. Check out her tutorial with Martha Stewart. Okay – since that’s never going to happen, maybe a friend will make one for me – I mean – Eleanor. So if you feel so inclined, my birthday is in April (come on – of course it’s for me!)
While contemporary interiors aren’t exactly my thing… I must say that I do love them in mini-form:
Do you love modern design? Read this New York Times article about how other enthusiasts satisfy their cravings for expensive modern spaces by indulging in the miniature version.
I’m still a Victorian dollhouse girl at heart – but in my book, anything tiny is quite lovable.
I’ve always loved beautiful handmade dolls – but I especially love the creative displays that some of the artists I admire put together.
A recent discovery for me is Tiny Concept, a line of lovely cloth dolls by Kristina Snerling.
While I was initially charmed by some Tiny Concept dolls I saw featured on various design blogs, I was utterly enchanted by Kristina’s own blog and the pictures featuring her work.
Um – I’d wear that dress. And I know that my daughter would be dazzled by this “princess.”
After reading this first post, I had to see more and scrolled through the entire site. Here are some of my other favorites:
And best of all? She uses real style icons for inspiration. Like Audrey Hepburn…
…Dior…
…and Jackie (then) Kennedy.
I’ve subscribed to the blog so I can see what she comes with next. You can find her blog HERE and her shop HERE.
I think I’ve made it pretty clear that I have a thing for dolls. And I’ve definitely featured the amazing work of Christine Alvarado from Du Buh Du Designs before.
One of the things that makes her site so spellbinding is that she features her handmade dolls in the most beautiful images.
I never really gave much thought to who was taking these gorgeous pictures, but apparently it was HER. Though I should have guessed this since the personal pictures she has on her blog are quite lovely too.
The last blog post I read on Du Buh Du announced that the always empty Etsy shop (her dolls disappear seconds after she lists them) will now include prints of several of her doll photographs. Here are a couple:
You can see the rest HERE. Which one is your favorite?
I SOOOO want one of these beautiful dolls from Du Buh Du.
I was hoping to win the drawing she held last week – but alas, my name wasn’t picked.
If I could have chosen one it would be:
Basilde
SalomeOkay – or
Trilby I am in love with Du Buh Du’s fanciful caravan pictoral for Fanciful Twist’s Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.
Am I still a child at heart….
…if I want to play with dolls?
I hope so.
*Click images for source.