I don't remember playing with dolls much as a child. I did get a Betsy McCall doll for Christmas one year. She came with two extra dresses, pajamas, and a coat and bonnet sewn by my mother. There was also a box to keep her in, made by my dad, complete with a rod and hangers for her clothes. Although I loved my Betsy McCall, I found all the dressing and undressing a bother.
So I still have her and her clothes in almost mint condition. The next year I asked Santa to bring me cowboy boots and a plaid shirt. Later I really, really wanted a Daniel Boone coonskin hat but that never happened.
No, my favorite dolls had their clothes painted on and were three inches high. Along with my brother we made whole villages for them to live in along the canal. They had boats and gardens and places to keep their animals. I guess I still like little dolls. Ebay, Etsy and Paypal have my number and have been delighted to point me to all kinds of miniature doll house items for sale. If you've followed my blog much you've seen some of my collection in "The Dahlies" posts.
Above are some of my latest doll house furniture purchases. They don't match well, but I truly like the little wooden table (bought from Linda Sue's "gollygollygolly" Etsy site) which came with the china vase/soup tureen. I've filled it with real flowers. The tiny Tiffany lamp came all the way from China and, as you can see, lights up. Yes, they have my number.