I got an email from Linda Smith who was in charge of the competition at the Kansas City Doll Fair. She wrote to tell me that-
“Number 87 received a score of 98 points out of 100, and received a Blue Ribbon.

Number 88 received a score of 97 points out of 100, and received a Blue Ribbon.

Number 289 received a score of 94 points out of 100, and received a Blue Ribbon.”

I am not sure which doll is 87 or 88 ( I sent Haze and the Edwardian Gentleman ), but 289 is Jane, the gourd head doll. I was most nervous about sending Jane, because I think she was in a category with many mixed-media and polymer dolls. After my experience last year, I was surprised and very pleased with the scores. I can’t wait to see the written evaluation.

I had an idea that last year, the person who was judging did not have a clear idea of what I was trying to achieve with my doll. This year I tried to be very clear… assumed I needed to explain. I sent 3 dolls because I thought it would be helpful to see different dolls that shared my style. I wrote about what the inspiration was and also pointed out technical details- like the one-seam hands and the removeable clothing. When I get the dolls back, I will post pictures, what I wrote and the critique.

This is the REAL reason I thought it was worth sending dolls again this year- I met Sherry Goshon at the Textile Tarts summer picnic/meeting which took place right after WOW last year. I showed her pictures of my work. When I showed her the picture of Esther, she recognised her… Said she’d seen the doll in Kansas City and had really liked it! Yes Mimi, people are really seeing the dolls that leave my house! I needed to hear that- sometimes, when one doesn’t attend the show it feels like the dolls are going out into a great black hole.

This doll is going off to a new home and I had to give her a name. She has been sitting on the piano, looking at me as I eat every meal… and I’ve been thinking about it. She is now Daphne.

I went to the doll show at The Afro American History Museum in Boston. I was disappointed. The show was very small… there were only 2 cases- took about 20 minutes to really study the whole exhibit. If I hadn’t met my friend for lunch, it wouldn’t have been worth the trip to see the dolls. I am glad I saw the Museum though, interesting exhibits, and I picked up a brochure that had some old photos of children, all dressed up.

I just loaded up the trunk of my VW station wagon with some of the fabric that I ended up with from my mom’s vast collection. Donated to the Fashion Institute in Boston… young creative minds can figure out how to use gigantic and heavy plaids and checks, blue wool challis with large flowers printed on it, linen navy and white houndstooth and all the other fabric not suitable for dolls or anything else in my life. I am so excited to find a place to donate these fabrics and maybe someday, if I keep clearing things out, I’ll be able to find the fabrics I do want and can use! That will be 4 or 5 more carloads at least…