Vintage Homemade Paper Dolls

I found an old hatbox among Madeline's memories.  I was even happier when I looked inside and discovered very old, handmade paper dolls.  There were clues in the box that indicated that her Grandmother Annie was the creator of these items.  Annie liked to keep scrapbooks and her attention to detail is evident in the little dresses.  I'm happy to share with you!

One of the tiny paper dolls, wearing one of Annie's outfits.

A selection of outfits.  Notice the hand pleating on some of the skirts.  (Click on pic to enlarge.)

Another paper doll, along with a teeny tiny box.

A Victorian lady and gentleman paper dolls.

Outfits for the lady doll.

Two more fancy dresses.

A gown, complete with fancy hat.

There were many more paper dresses in the box, but these were the ones in the best condition.  I am not sure at all about the age of these paper dolls.  They may have been Annie's when she was a child, or she may have made them for Madeline.  Whatever their age, they were a delightful find.

A League of Their Own & Life Magazine Ads

I've been flipping through several copies of Life magazine from the 40's.  Here's an article on an all female baseball team like the one from the movie "A League of Their Own":

Here's the trailer from the movie.

I also scanned some of the ads from the magazine.  Enjoy!

Madeline in Pictures

I recently received a big batch of photos of Madeline from all phases of her life.  I picked out just a few to share today.  I'll start with this sweet photo of Madeline and her mother and her doll, sitting on the front steps.

Her doll looks a lot like this one we found in her attic recently:

Try to picture the doll without the hat, gloves, and shoe.  Maybe?

Taken on her first birthday.

Two pics in the snow.  Looks like about a year or so apart.  She always made a fashion statement!

Must be Easter!  Photo above is Madeline with Annie, her grandmother who raised her.

A serious looking Madeline in her teens.  Of course very few of the photos are dated.  Thank goodness digital photography takes care of that!

Very cute!  I think I count 4 candles on the birthday cake.  Love the bloomers.

For a contrast--Madeline in her later years.  She loved politics and was very active in the Massachusetts Republican Women's  Group.  Madeline is in the print dress and that is her good friend Pat, along with Mitt Romney, of course.  I miss talking politics with her. 



Madeline's Valentine Collection

These are valentines received by Madeline, given by Madeline, or in the case of the vintage ones, saved by Madeline from her family.  A few go way back, but most of these are from the 1940's and 1950's I would say.  Hope you enjoy looking at them!

You can move the bear's hand to bounce the ball!

This one was in its own box. 

Love the inside verses.

These two and the following two are quite old.

Reverse of above valentines.