McCall's Magazine, August 1912

Summer is sailing away, but I always make time to enjoy a vintage magazine from a simpler time. One of my great finds at the Westwood Crafts and Antiques Fair.

Paper dolls from Spain

I love Googling "recortables," cut-outs in Spanish, and finding little gems like these. Is there a collector out there who can present at the next convention in Phoenix on these paper dolls? I would love to know more about them: publishers, artists, where they were sold, how many were published... Recortables Bruguera is the most common of a certain vintage, 1940s-1960s, I think.

Convention Report: Domestic Pets by Raphael Tuck, c. 1890s

Raphael Tuck published beautiful paper dolls, books, cards and other paper items in the late 19th- and early 20th century. Elaine Price brought this prize-winning gem from her collection.

Register for the The 2016 Paper Doll Convention in Phoenix, Arizona

The lazy days of August will soon be overtaken by the busy days of September, and before you know it, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas will speed us toward the end of the year. I feel out of breath just thinking about it!

Register for the Arizona convention now -- before the hectic pace kicks in. There's a small discount for early bird registration. And you can relax now -- poolside, or in the garden, perhaps with a glass of iced tea nearby -- and enjoy thinking about the wonderful things Jane Rasor has planned for us!

Click here for more information about the convention and for the link to the registration form.

Convention Report: Dionne Quintuplets Cutout Book

Jean Mallett's blue ribbon winner was a Palmolive Soap premium.

Jane paper doll by McLoughlin, c. 1880s.

A recent purchase on eBay. Page 163 in the Marion Howard book.

Convention Report: Handmades

More scenes from the Competition, this time the category is handmade paper dolls. Above, Barbara Chillcut found this lovely doll in a British Columbia antique store.

A lovely toddler paper doll from the collection of Brenda Givens. 

An intricately drawn paper doll and her ensemble, all in pen and ink, from the collection of Jean Mallett.

Jean Mallett also brought in this lovely watercolor bride and trousseau.

It wouldn't be a competition without a stunning handmade from the collection of Elaine Price.

Convention Report: Another fabulous altered book

Beverly Micucci had another blue-ribbon with this altered book, "Ooh La La," a wonderful homage to the city of Paris. Her altered book with a paper doll, "Daphne in Paris" was also a tribute to the City of Lights. Pretty wonderful, and oh so inspiring! 

Convention Report: The Bears' Wedding

From the collection of Elaine Price.