When I was visiting my friend Donna (with the doll collection), I was leaving and I noticed her granddaughter’s dollhouse and the occupants.
The SIMPSONS? They are just the right size.
Her Uncle Tony’s chess set put to use. She’d arranged them so neatly, all in a row.
(I didn’t even know there was a Simpsons Chess Set.)
My friend Barb collects all kinds of dolls, most from her childhood, There’s a photo of her in one of the pics, holding her doll. She has a glass and wooden cupboard filled with her collection. The reflection makes it tricky to get a clean shot, I looked up Toodles and she is definitely a contemporary from our childhood years in the ’50’s. What do you collect?
This weekend I shared Maura’s bedroom in Ohio and Anna joined us, too. We shared some laughs.
Turns out there were more “kids” in the place than just the granddaughters.
The happy boy doll with the open mouth is Baby Michael and he is ALWAYS happy like you see him in the photograph.
If I heard right, he was a score in the Consignment Store.
The tiny baby was Anna’s first doll but she’s almost 11 and so sister Maura has taken over her care now.
Eight years ago I created a homemade book for granddaughter Anna for her third birthday. You know those blank white books you can buy in an art store or school supply? I photographed Baby Doll doing all sorts of things around the house and yard and swing set. I even had the photos printed on PAPER and mounted them on the pages and wrote a caption for each shot.
Anna wasn’t a collaborator then as it was a surprise for her.
You get the idea of the book I made. And I thought I could make another one, no problem. HA!
Today her sister Maura (5+) thought it would be a great idea to make a book together, starring her Bitty Baby and Chelsea baby dolls and her AG Clare. I thought it sounded like a good idea, too.
Only problem, Maura suddenly got into some unnatural poses and grimaces and it didn’t look right to me. Also the dolls seemed to have more vacant stares than good old Baby Doll (originally belonging to their mother Erika) who seemed MUCH more cooperative and responsive to my direction (plus it was my direction alone previously)
But I can learn from the experience of the photo shoot. The results did not match my vision. But Maura had a blast and likes the pictures and we all had a great laugh. Erika thinks my efforts are funny. I think it is good to show the outtakes sometimes, too.
I showed today’s pics to her mother Erika and she said she loved them all. Her brothers and sisters are the one who said that Maura looks like a Bobblehead in the one (due to Grandma’s angle and perspective)
Maura liked the photographs, just fine by her.
So here is what we came up with and for me it is back to the beginning and reworking the shots and getting Maura to ease up on the posing. Will see what we come up with on the next attempt.
Maura arranging her”kids”
Ooops down one subject
And the Bobblehead shot.
My DIL called last night and asked if the boys could stay at Grandma’s house this weekend when the family comes in town for the big wedding.
Since their sisters are flower girl and junior bridesmaid the others will be very busy.
I’ve pulled out the PLAYMOBIL and LEGO and the little indoor tent. Stocking some of their favorite things to eat. Gearing up for company.
Tomorrow at school three classes taking finals and then I have to read and grade them but at 2:44, I’ll be out the school door and headed to pick up my two grandsons for the weekend at my house. Very exciting.
Jack and MIchael share a chair while building LEGO®
Either Michael or Jack, one of my grandsons, took this photo of Star Wars figures.. I found it in my December Photo Stream in Aperture tonight.
I hadn’t seen it before, didn’t notice it. I know I didn’t take it. The kids love to use the electronic devices.
Any it was all set up and photographed (on the piano I’m fairly certain) and here’s their shot. Guest blog photo by one of them.
I’d left the mini Light Sabers in a gift box with a friend’s gift but she mailed them out from Pittsburgh in a card so they got to Ohio in time for Christmas. Need light sabers to do battle!! Thanks V.
Something about mini figures invites creative and imaginative play.
Either Michael (8) or Jack(6+) took this photo with my phone. I found it in the December photo stream tonight.
The first one is from my sister in NYC who sent this phone photo of a toy she saw in the street for two days. Thanks Mary.
And then last night after the 100th Bday party I saw this little bunny rabbit and I asked the receptionist and she said it was someone’s lost toy.
Two lost toys in one day.
I follow a blogger from South Africa at Sonel’s Corner and you may have read some of her lovely comments on my blog. She hosted Flat Ruthie and introduced FR to the Vervet Monkeys . You can see what a Vervet Monkey looks like at Sonel’s Corner blog post on B and W weekly challenge of Nature here.
She’s started a black and white challenge and I’ve been thinking about participating but kept missing the deadline. The Black and White Weekly Photo Challenge theme this week is TOYS. Here I am in Ohio, visiting the grandchildren and there are plenty of toys.
I shot these toys today specifically for Sonel’s challenge.
Then I converted them into black and white in Aperture and am posting a few from today’s effort. Shot with Canon 5D -50mm 1.2 L series lens. I used the cable remote to avoid camera shake.
My DIL Erika’s Grandmother Marion (Marlene’s mother) crocheted this doll dress, bonnet and undergarments for this doll I took down from the high shelf in Anna’s room.
Caught the afternoon light on her through the dining room window. I asked Erika if she had a name and she said no. Crocheted doll clothes were “in”.
Mark(from Aunt Bobbie) and Erika’s Teddy Bears. Mark’s Brownie on the left and Erika’s Teddy on the right. Presently residing in their daughter Anna’s room on the high shelf, not getting any “play time”.
This little doll was given to Anna in 2003 by my dear friend G. Anna’s first doll. Maura popped into the photo shoot. She is also in charge of tending this dolly now. I knit the old cotton dishcloth pattern extra large for a dolly blanket. They drape so nicely.
Found the missing puzzle piece today. Ooops, the puzzle was discarded a long time ago. (this one shot with the iPhone) Always liked those knob puzzles.
Thanks to Sonel’s Corner for the Black and White inspiration.
Anna set up the sock monkey clan in the family room and photographed them. The most cooperative subjects you would wish for. A couple sock monkeys must have been hiding but collecting four grandchildren’s monkeys is the challenging part. Trying to get the real family for a group shot is much more difficulty. I get a kick out of the kids trying out their photography skills. Anna(9) photographed this one with the iPad. Thanks Anna for the guest blog.
Eataly Display
Woman on Cell Phone Carrying a Tulip
The Biggest Box of Chocolates I’ve Seen
Godiva Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Rockefeller Center Chocolates
Plantings About to Bloom on Fifth Avenue
Unusual Flavors at Gourmet Garage
Balloons and Toys
