Taswegian1957

Blogiversary 5


It is hard to believe that it has been five years this month since I wrote my first ever post “How I Became A Doll Collector”. At that time I didn’t know if I would enjoy blogging or have the committment to keep it up. Happily the answer to both those questions is “Yes!”.

Some of my older dolls

There have been a few changes over time. I think my writing and photography have improved for one thing. The blog has gone through various changes in appearance, different backgrounds, different themes etc until the current format which I quite like although that is not to say I’ll never change it again.

Naomi has joined me as a writer and photographer which has made the whole thing even more fun and together we’ve shopped for dolls, researched dolls and talked dolls as we’ve tried to identify our own mystery dolls and those of readers.

I started the blog with the aim of firstly sharing the enjoyment of my hobby with like-minded people and secondly sharing information and encouraging others to do the same.  I started photographing my Fashion Avenue and Fashion Fever Barbie outfits partly for my own records but also as a way to help others identify odd pieces they find. Of course it’s also a very good excuse to play with dolls.

Vivienne with her models

When I started to collect I have to admit I was a bit furtive about it because I thought that people might think I was weird as I had no children or grandchildren and was buying dolls for myself. Over twenty years of collecting later and I don’t really care what people think. I love my hobby and I’m not afraid to mention it to people in conversation although I don’t go on about it unless I’m asked. I’ve found through the online communities of firstly Yahoo and later WordPress, Blogger and Facebook that there are a lot of people out there who feel the same way as I do and that’s good to know.

Plans for the future? Well to keep on collecting obviously and also to keep on fixing up the stray dolls that come my way via the Op Shop.

Basket of dolls at my house waiting for attention

I’ve just ordered myself a little photo cube and some lights and I am looking forward to experimenting with it in order to take better doll photos using backgrounds and props. I want to get back to my neglected knitting and maybe at some point sewing as I still have a lot of dolls in need of clothing. I hope to get to doll shows and other doll related events and write about them and to continue to develop the Fashion Fever identification page with the help of our readers.
In other words I intend to keep doing what I’m doing.

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Published by Taswegian1957

I was born in England in 1957 and lived there until our family came to Australia in 1966. I grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, where I met and married my husband, David. We came together over a mutual love of trains. Both of us worked for the railways for many years, his job was with Australian National Railways, while I spent 12 years working for the STA, later TransAdelaide the Adelaide city transit system. After leaving that job I worked in hospitality until 2008. We moved to Tasmania in 2002 to live in the beautiful Huon Valley. In 2015 David became ill and passed away in October of that year. I currently co-write two blogs on WordPress.com with my sister Naomi. Our doll blog "Dolls, Dolls, Dolls", and "Our Other Blog" which is about everything else but with a focus on photographs and places in Tasmania. In November 2019 I began a new life in the house that Naomi and I intend to make our retirement home at Sisters Beach in Tasmania's northwest. Currently we have five pets between us. Naomi's two dogs Toby and Teddy and cats, Tigerwoods and Panther and my cat Polly. My dog Cindy passed away aged 16 in April 2022.

11 comments

  1. Congratulations! I have seen some of the transformations and practice makes perfect. I love how you bring your dolls to life through stories. Thanks for sharing your passion and igniting mine. To many more years of doll fun and fashions.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Congratulations! I am amazed at how much I have learned since reading your blogs! My collection has swelled also as I discovered Tammy and her family and friends, as well as Naomi’s celebrity dolls and even gave a home to a damaged Max tin dollhouse. I love repairing/re-heading /re-dressing dolls and giving them new homes and occasionally ticking off the boxes of the wish list. You have such great ideas on displays and smart outfits and seasonal fun! I pray for five plus more years of fashion and doll lore. I am anticipating more Kiss band members, Teddy bears and shindigs at the Tammy house..I’m a devoted fan and bless both your efforts!!

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. happy mother/mentors day..I have many friends who have supported in a nurturing mothers way..who have yet to claim the title.I was not supposed to be blessed that way and beat the odds. However I feel sharing stories/history and growing up through creative play, All my friends become family, and their wisdom becomes what I use in mentoring.

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  5. Congratulations! I enjoy this blog very much since I am now 60 years old and have loved dolls since I can remember! I haven’t seen it on a post so I will ask: have you found your new home yet? Helen

    Like

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