A Haven for Vee

Monday, February 15, 2016

Shirley Says Hello



Hi! 

Yes, well, ordinarily, it would be slightly mortifying to be sitting up here on this ironing board wearing nothing but a smile (and a pair of panties that my mama made for me), but after over fifty years in a trunk, I'm glad to be anywhere!


It felt so good to have a bath and get my hair shampooed.  I cleaned up pretty well. Don't blame my mama too much for the bangs. She cut them a long, long time ago when she didn't know any better.


 My beautiful ringlets are mostly all gone now. That's why I'm sporting a pony tail.


I was made by IDEAL  between 1958 and 1963. My mama saved her allowance for a long, long time and bought me all by herself somewhere in the early 1960s. She really wanted me.


Mama's friend Diane has lots and lots of dolls and she makes them lots and lots of pretty clothes. Diane has been giving my mama ideas! That's a good thing because a little girl needs more than one dress. Mama thought I really needed some underpants first.


She found the pattern on Pinterest! She modified them a bit because I am just a little girl and not used to bikini style. What does that even mean?




There's my namesake with all her Shirley Temple dolls. They are adorable if I do say so myself. My mama also has her mama's Shirley doll, but that Shirley is so old that she can't even hold her head up anymore.  She needs some underwear and a new dress, too.

Hope that we meet again, if Mama ever does make me a new dress. I think she owes me!




P.S. Vee here with my Downton Abbey comment of the week: When Violet gets a thing right, she really gets it right. What a timely gift!

57 comments:

  1. Your dolly is in great shape, in spite of the hair. My doll, which I might show on the blog someday, has very scary eyes. Time did something weird to them.
    I've been impressed by Diane and JoAnn's doll clothes sewing, too. Your little panties are so cute! Great job, Vee!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Shirley is darling! I'm so glad she has emerged from her trunk and I await meeting her again...........As for Violet, I hope she makes it back.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Vee, I love this post! You're a trick (as my Mama used to say)!
    Shirley is indeed a very sweet and smart doll - I hope she doesn't go back in the trunk for a while.
    I'm sure there will be lots of adventures you'll dream up for her!
    Priceless - I love it!
    Shane

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh what a cute post, Vee...Shirley is real doll! (teehee). I love that you have rescued Miss Shirley from that awful trunk! She looks like she is still in great shape despite that little mishap with her bangs. My mom used to do that with mine too and I totally understand :) The only doll I have left from my girlhood is my original Barbie (who is bald...talk about a hair mishap!) and a Barbie-like knock off called "Mary Make-up". Oh...those were fun times. And yes, I agree that Violet was most definitely on a roll last night...I was laughing out loud at her! Looking forward to Shirley's new dress!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You sure have some pretties undies and you know....short bangs are ALWAYS in style! What a pretty girl you are. Hope Mommy makes you something soon. Do you have a soft blankie to wrap in while she works? Have FUN!!! Dollie hugs from all the Florida dollies...and Diane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Diane, my mama wrapped me all up nice and warm in a pretty blue blanket with white lacy edging. Good thing because it was -20°F here this morning!

      Delete
  6. Hi Shirley, Your mama recently told us that her sewing room is really a play room. Now I see what she means by that. It sounds like she has been having great fun playing with you, her special dolly, once again. I know you must be so happy to be out of the trunk and reunited with your dear mama. She is taking such good care of you. You look so pretty and clean and those new undies look so warm and soft.
    I hope you will come back to visit again and maybe show us your new dress(es).

    ReplyDelete
  7. What an eyeopener for Monday morning - your little Shirley sitting in her underpants waving away to all of blogdom without a care, except to have some clothes on soon. lol
    The puppy was heartwarming but even more so was seeing Mr. Carson put in his place by Mrs. Patmore and Mrs. Hughs. That, I loved.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh I love your dolly! I have a couple of girls in the trunk that also need a makeover and some new clothes. I'm not a fan of sewing so I'm looking for someone to help me. I hope one of my crafty friends will step up. I hope she'll return and show us her new dress!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by Julie N. I have tried to return your visit and have even listened to some marvelous music, but I can't seem to find the secret door that allows me all the way in. foogle + can be pretty exclusive for those of us who are not interested in going the foogle + route.

      Delete
  9. How sweet! I never had any dolls growing up. I was a tom boy!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good morning to you and to Shirley! What a cute post...So glad she has made her way OUT of the trunk, and into the bathtub and those sweet panties. Do we get to see her in her new dress too? haha Have a nice day Vee!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a fun post. I still have my dolls from childhood, but they are tucked away on a shelf in my closet.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Well hello Shirley. So glad you made it out of that trunk. 50 years! That's a long time. Your skin and hair are so nice since you've been protected from the sun. I'm gonna talk to your mama now...
    So glad you made Shirley some underwear before you showed her to us. Can't wait to see her all dressed up. That is great that you saved your shekulkie up to purchase her! (I'm going to call my pop today and ask him about that word as to whether it has Russian roots or Persian roots.) I had one doll with a plastic head with the hair painted on. A smallish doll. I have no clue what happened to her but I didn't see it after the 4th grade. I do remember my mom made her a sweet corduroy dress and brought her to me in the hospital when I had some mystery to me illness. Hope you have a good day!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love Shirley's dimple! Can't wait to see the sweet outfits you conjure up in your playroom!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a sweet doll and a happy memory to bring back to life. Shirley cleans up good! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  15. A delightful post. I had a Shirley Temple doll. I wonder what ever happened to mine.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear Vee;
    I don't have that comment button on my blog and now that I got here and looked at that cute doll I've forgotten what you asked....oh yes about having a tea room. No! Retired and planning to enjoy the rest of life. I will be 67 this week. I will be having a totally finished basement in the walkout rancher so I will have my own "personal" tea room in the basement and have big plans for teas. Can't wait but in the meantime - we work and work to get our home ready to sell in Colorado. Thanks for asking!

    ReplyDelete
  17. So, so cute! It's fun to sew for our dolls - isn't it? I sold most of my dolls at a garage sale when my kids were young. I thought there was no room in the house for them. So sad. I have "had" to buy some of them back on ebay! LOL! I have a sign over my crafty doll room that says, "A Happy Childhood Lasts Forever". I think our sweet toys helped make those days happy, don't you?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Shirley certainly doesn't look her age! I wish I could have held up as well. I have Peanuts who was a gift from my maternal grandmother. Peanuts is now 62 years old. She had/has a soft flesh which is now very sticky. I don't know how to get the sticky off. Any thoughts?

    This is such a great post. I wonder how many of us still have our favorite childhood dolls.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I grew up during and right after WWII. We could never afford a doll like that. I made doll clothes however and my sister and I put them on clothes pins. We also played with mostly paper dolls. Beautiful post.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Dolly is beautiful, can't wait to see her new dress or wardrobe prehaps? Xx

    ReplyDelete
  21. Shirley is so beautiful. I hope she gets lots of cute little dresses.

    ReplyDelete
  22. So cute, nice job on the undies! I don't know that I have a single doll left over from my childhood. I have no idea what shape it would be in if I did have one left over. Can you believe I was too tired to stay up for Downton last night?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh Shirley is a sweet doll and in such good shape for being the age she is! She may need more than one dress.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I hope that you have great fun doing some miniature dressmaking!! xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. So nice to meet you Shirley, your mom did a great job with the underpants, looking forward to seeing your new outfits! I know she is having lots of fun sewing for you!.
    Love from me to you,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  26. Awww 50 years in a trunk! Your dolly looks pretty darn great, Vee! She does deserve a new dress to go with her underpants.
    Yep, Violet really did get it right!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Of all of my blogging friends, you, Vee, are the very FIRST one to post your doll (as I've done many times over my years of blogging). I love my dolls and struggle with deciding if I'm foolish or not to love them so when I'm old enough to be on Medicare!!! (smile)

    Thanks for such a delightful post! Shirley is beautiful, even her hair. You did a great job with the undies. Now to make a perfect dress! Do be sure to post pictures of that when it happens!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. It's so nice to meet you, Shirley. I'm so happy you are out of the trunk. Your Mama is sure to make you some lovely dresses.
    Vee, Violet is the best. She knows how to make her son happy. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh Vee, how precious! Shirley is adorable! I can't wait to see what pretty dresses you make for her! I always liked Shirley Temple.

    As for Lady Violet! That was a precious gift and Robert loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Your little Shirley doll is so cute, short bangs and all. Hope we get to see her new dress before too long. :) Have fun sewing and stay warm!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sweet little Shirley doll! I love bangs too! I told my stylist today, "I must have been born with bangs! "
    I agree - Violet does nail it right on the head!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Vee!

    I'm in love with, Shirley, she's adorable!! It's awesome that you saved her and that you are playing with her again . . . is that what they mean by a second childhood?!

    My sister still has her, Chatty Kathy, all the records and she is still wearing the same dress . . . I'm so envious!

    Really fun post!

    Hugs,
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thank you, Vee, for allowing Shirley to guest post for you today! Such fun!! Another sweet treasure from your childhood...

    ReplyDelete
  34. Shirley is a sweetie and is as bang-challenged as my Rosemary. I think I was about 8 when I had a very brief stint as Hair Dresser to the Dolls. Glad to see that Shirley's mother, like all mothers, is teaching her little one the importance of nice underwear in case of an emergency!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love her! I know I must have had one similiar and so remember Ideal dolls! Another treasure there...I think I am so jealous!!! Adorable Vee!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Shirley looks pretty good I'd say! I have a couple of oldies up in my trunk as well but none as pretty as your Shirley. Cute post Vee.

    ReplyDelete
  37. {{{{big, big smiles}}} Waving to Shirley...and yes ma'am, Violet got it right, didn't she? Smiles

    ReplyDelete
  38. So awesome that you have this precious doll after so many years! :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. such a cutie...and i loved Shirley Temple...such talent

    ReplyDelete
  40. What a pretty doll Shirley is! She reminds me of my sister's doll that I finally sent home with her a few years ago after taking care of her for 40 odd years. I'm glad you are dressing her up in new clothes Vee. My favourite doll was Betsy Wetsy. You could feed her water in her white coloured bottle and she peed in her diaper. :) I have no dolls from my childhood as they either were broken or I gave them away to the annual church rummage sale. I kind of wish I still had one now.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I finally had a moment to get on my computer to read this charming post, Vee! Your Shirley doll is very sweet. I remember wishing I had one as a little girl, along with a a Thumbelina doll that was advertised quite a bit on TV. I did not receive either, but I still loved the dolls I did have. I wish I could sew--I doubt I'd even be able to make doll underwear--lol!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Oh my goodness, what a dear post! I still have my Chatty Cathy doll sitting up in my closet. Isn't funny how we've saved our dolls for all these years?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine was saved by my mother I am quite sure. I don't remember seeing Shirley after I was 12 or so. She came along with all the boxes and boxes that arrived in November since my parents' home was being closed down. I was very pleased to see her again. I think she has earned a spot on my sewing table where she can keep an eye on me. Chatty Cathy probably would like to get down from the shelf. I'd love to see her!

      Delete
    2. You're inspiring me! perhaps she needs a new dress and knickers! I hope you're feeling better since the dental emergency. I SO relate! I come from the age before kids got orthodontics, so I fight to keep my teeth clean ... and safely where they belong!

      Delete
  43. Shirley is a cutie for sure. I have a little suitcase with some well worn babies from my childhood. One has a very short hair cut because of an unfortunate lapse of judgement on my part.. many years ago. I love that your Shirley is getting herself some new panties and what not all.

    ReplyDelete
  44. That Shirley Temple photo is a darling! And you are not bad either, dear Shirley :-)
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  45. Dearest Vee, what a darling and oh-so-charming post! Sweet Shirley is quite the lovely little thing even with her bangs cut close to her head {{smiles}} I remember doing that to a doll or two of mine...

    Hugs to you!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I'm so pleased to meet you Shirley. Your mama must love you very much to sew that tiny underwear for you. I can't wait to see what your new outfit is going to be.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Loved meeting you Shirley! You certainly have been well loved and cherished by your Momma all your life! What a nice little childhood treasure you are! I'm especially fond of all my dollies, too... So it's wonderful to meet you!

    What a fun little post... Thank you for sharing your little Shirley! What a remarkable little actress she was! Thank you for also sharing that adorable image of Shirley Temple with her dollies! How precious!

    Blessings to You...
    Net
    itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com
    Your Ticket to Family Movies on TV!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I very nearly deleted your comment (such a nice one, too) because you added that little advertising blurb. Then I visited your site and very much enjoyed my time there.

      Delete
  48. I wonder if I have any children I forgot in a trunk upstairs.
    Love the cute panties, and I think that poor little one is deserving of at least a warm nightie. I can hear her teeth chattering.

    Too cute!!

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  49. P.S. I would do a post about my favorite doll Dodie, but my meanie brother pulled her head off (in the last century.) :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, yes, I have heard some horrific tales...

      Delete
  50. Adorable post, Vee! Your Shirley cleaned up very nicely, and I agree, she needs a pretty flannel nightie to keep her warm. And, oh my, didn't our dolls get the haircuts, haha!
    I need to look up any lost dollies I might have tucked away somewhere!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Your Shirley is just lovely! And I love that you are getting her all spiffed up!!!

    ReplyDelete

🕊
If comments disappear, please don't fret. A simple "hi" will do. The platform surely needs some maintenance.