I do!
I wanted this dolly for about a year (at least). She was in the S & H Greenstamp Catalog, which was something where you collected stamps from the grocery store and filled books and saved so many books to buy things out of a catalog. Lucky for us, the S & H store was right next door to our grocery store, so we could just walk right in and present our stamp books and pick out what we wanted and take it home! It was a lot of fun. As kids we loved the "job" of sitting down with the stamps and empty booklets to fill. Our Mom would give us a wet sponge on a little plate and we would spend time putting those stamps in the books perfectly straight (I'm sure they were NOT)...LOL...
One day I had enough stamps to get this beautiful BRIDE DOLL, all decked out in her white gown with veil, and shoes, jewelry, etc. I don't believe I ever gave her a name...she was just always "My Bride Doll".
Over the years, she lost a lot of her attire, and so about 10 years ago, my Mom sewed her a new dress, and I made her some new jewelry. I beaded her a necklace, and used cut off quilting pens (with colored balls at the ends) to stick through the holes in her ears, for new earrings!
I was able to find her the exact same shoes (reproduced) at a place online...her old ones were white of course, but her new pair are pink! The only things original now are her petticoat and underwear!!!
I got her when I was around 8-10 years old, and she is made of hard plastic, and has some damage on her lips, toes and chest where she is decomposing a bit. I have thought of taking her to a doll repair person, but then again for now, when she is dressed, she is OK. The sweater you see just went on her about a week ago...it was a sweater I had bought at Micheals Craft store for one of my daughters dolls, but she did not like it, and it actually made a real cute 3/4 length sleeve sweater for my bride doll. I feel so much better now, knowing she is not cold sitting up in my entertainment center in an air conditioned house!
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Do you have a doll from your childhood that is special to you???
she is simply perfect, and the fact that you have kept her is amazing. i don't have anything from my childhood (just memories)...have moved around too much. sigh....
ReplyDeleteNo dolls for me. I hated them. I wanted Palladin guns, my dog and my cowboy hat much to my Mother's disappointment.
ReplyDeleteWow Julie - I am impressed with the care you given this doll over the years. You inspired me to write a blog on childhood dolls. Thanks for hte memories! Vickie
ReplyDeleteThis was wonderful! I too remember doing the green stamps as a kid. Lucky you to live near a store- I don't recall ever actually sending for anything with them, just the licking and sticking.
ReplyDeleteI have a southern belle doll that I got when I was 12- I was obsesseed with the movie Gone with the wind at the time, and wanted her more than anything.
Wow, she is beautiful. I am so amazed that you still have her. I remember the bride doll I got-my aunt sewed all her clothes.
ReplyDeleteIf I were home I would show the the teeny little doll that I still have from childhood.
Hi Julie
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story for a pretty little dolly. I know that hard plastic kind of doll. How special it must have been for you when you finally got her. I remember those stamps too. Yup....putting them on straight on those squares...
I had a dolly like that too. I am so upset when I think that I got rid of her...some years ago when I must have been in some sort of state...now I have Madeline and how special it would have been to give it to her. It makes me so angry at me.
I'm happy you have yours though..
hope you are having a lovely day
Judi
Your bride doll is adorable, beautiful and love how you have dressed her again. Yes, I do and I will take her out and photograph her. Long story to go with her. Thanks for the idea for a post.
ReplyDeleteMine needs the doll repair shop too as her rubber band that held her limbs together broke long ago, but I have all her parts and she is beautiful.
Ahh wonderful she looks like my doll.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately mine are on the attic, not so easy to take a picture....
Her name is Annie and I have had her together with a yellow dolls a rabbit and a bear as my favorite.
Lovely story Julie!
Have a nice weekend!
I had completely forgotten - or just didn't bother my thoughts - about my childhood dolls and toys. I had plenty, but I confess, the one you have is an absolute darling. It is so cute that you still have your dollie with you.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, what a lovely story. She's beautiful. I love all the details and how you fixed her all up. I especially love the image of you sitting with the sponge and the green stamps. I remember these too. How fun to get something you wish and wait for and that you still have her is lovely.
ReplyDeleteNeat Julie and you still have it too. Boy, you brought back memories regarding those stamps. We had them here in California and they were called Blue Chip stamps.
ReplyDeleteI didn't play with dolls too much after I discovered bugs at about the age of 6! But I remember two special dolls when I was really young. One was supposedly named "Fanny", but I mispronounced it as "Fimmy" (I think I was 2 or 3) Somewhere, there is a picture of me holding her. I'll post it if I ever find it.
ReplyDeleteI was a little older when I gave a haircut to a doll who had long blonde hair. I remember how short and choppy it looked, but in my child's mind I was certain it would grow back. Imagine my disappointment when my mom informed me that, no, it would not!
I don't have a doll, but I have a special monkey named Chico. You did a wonderful job on your bride doll. She looks so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sue.
thanks for posting your bride doll story, julie! she is beautiful and has certainly been loved and well cared for. i LOVE her new cardigan.
ReplyDeleteI had one similar called wendy walker!! I still have all my special dolls....DROWSY was my FAVORITE!!!
ReplyDeleteI also still have my barbies...Donny Osmond barbie, and Cher barbie included!!!
oh....I am loving that header photo...is that a traiing portulaca??? can you send me a seed???? hee hee??? see me smiling pretty??? lol
Juie- you inspired me to write my doll story. Thanks! I loved green stamps! I saved untill I had 8 books for a desk for my 8 year old daughter. I think she still has it! Great post!
ReplyDeleteLoved this post! I wasn't much of a doll kid--I did have a Betsy Wetsy when I was 6, and then an Alice in Wonderland doll at at Christmas at 10--but that one was just to look at. It sat on top of the piano unnoticed after New Year's day. I was an outside kid.
ReplyDeleteAiyana
Hi Julie! What a sweet doll! I was more of a barbie girl myself. I loved all my barbies and still do. This was such a fun post to read!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very beautiful doll with pink dress! I am sure she is everyone favourite.
ReplyDeleteAll girls love doll, especially this cute and sweet doll.
I can hug it or not Julie?
I was never into dolls. Neither was my sister. And neither is my own daughter.
ReplyDeleteI do, however, still have my old Tonka bulldozer, which I recently gave to Daya. She loves it and I love that she is like me. :)
I am still hungry, but could not help read all the details about your favourite doll! its amazing and special. Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteJulie, she is amazingly beautiful. With the new attire, she is a new bride.
ReplyDeleteYou took me down memory lane with the stamps. We also had these at our stores and Mother would sometimes allow us to to find something that we would like. It was so much fun. I remember atso havein a sponge to wet the stamps. No way were we going to lick all those stamps.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
What our children have missed growing up.