Silk and Satin and Ribbons and Lace

I've always loved pretty frilly, lacy things:  dresses, undies, purses, etc.  I think part of it came from my mother, who as I mentioned in my last posting was also a very "girlie girl," but my inclination also was formed by my surroundings as I was growing up.

One of my favorite things as a child was a series of six beautiful framed "Ribbon Dolls" from the 1930's that used to hang in the stairwell of my Grandma and Papa D's house in Cleveland.  Some of the dolls had dresses made of satin ribbons, some of lace, and some of delicate silk floral petals.  I'd spend long periods of time sitting on the steps (which were a work of art themselves with their oriental floral carpet runner and brass retainer bars), and I'd daydream about these lovely ladies.  As much as I love the color pink, I have to admit that my favorite doll was one dressed in a gown of pale green satin ribbon, each row edged in ecru lace.  I created stories about them -- of course, they were all princesses, who were about to meet their handsome princes at some fancy ball and live happily ever after.  Oh, how I loved those beauties!

Time passed and I grew up, married, moved far away, and started raising a family in the constant on-the-go life    as a military wife and I really didn't think about those dolls any more.  My "handsome prince" and I stopped briefly to visit my grandparents on our way back home to Michigan about 3 months after my oldest child was born, and I smiled fondly when I saw the ribbon dolls still dancing down the stairwell wall.  About a year later, Grandma and Papa decided to sell their home.  They were getting up in years, and their children and grandchildren  lived in other states. So, Gram and Papa consolidated their big, 4 bedroom, 2 kitchen, 2-story home into a little 1-bedroom apartment.  Needless to say, lots of their belongings and furniture were sold, donated, recycled, or tossed.  When Grandma died less than a year later, even more things were eliminated.

Many years went by, several moves, two more children, and eventually, a sad divorce ended my happily ever after.  As I struggled to raise three children on my own, I never thought again about those lovely, ribbon ladies.  Maybe, I'd blanked out the painful memory of the child who'd had dreams that were bigger than life and thought every story had a happy ending.  Life had been so simple then, but my reality didn't allow for daydreaming any more.

Many more years passed, and one day, I went with a friend to an antique fair in a small rural town near us.  We happily wandered from booth to booth, looking at old glassware and furniture, books and quilts.  Then we rounded a corner and I saw it.

A framed, vintage ribbon doll.  She wasn't wearing green or even pink for that matter -- and she had been reframed in an elaborate oval frame with convex glass and a velvet backcloth -- but she opened a floodgate of wonderful childhood memories.  I checked the price tag.  It was more than a week of my take home pay, so I had to pass her up in favor of feeding my family and paying the mortgage. But I took the memories home with me (and I won't give them up again).

These days, as I poke around on eBay and visit an occasional flea market, I keep my eye out for some of these little ladies.  I just know one day, I'll find one or more in the same colors and fabric as Grandma D's.  When I do, you better believe that little princess will be going home with me.

Enjoy today! Make memories for your tomorrow!
~ Marti