Remember Holly Hobbie?

Holly Hobbie (born in 1944) is an American writer and illustrator, and the name of a fictional character based on this person. In 1970 she sold her distinctive artwork of a bonnet wearing, cat-loving little girl to American Greetings. In 1974, Knickerbocker Toys licensed the Holly Hobbie character for a line of rag dolls, which were very popular. This is a sewing pattern for a Holly Hobbie doll. The doll's head is made from a white nylon sock and her hair is made from yarn. So very pretty. See more of the pattern here

I Like to Choose Dresses For Famous Celebrities

Since a lot of my time is spent sorting and listing vintage and out of print sewing patterns, I often like to play choose the dress for the celebrity. It's my version of playing fashion stylist. This one, I've selected for Kate Hudson. It's long, lean and elegant. The design is by Tom and Linda Platt whose design philosophy is “Life is complicated. Clothes should be simple.” Elemental line and form creates a simply stunning dress.

What to Do With Your Dumb-Bells

This gorgeous 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 inch photo illustration from 1912 shows a young man demonstrating various dumb-bell moves in a series of twenty three actions. What an inspiration to all of us who have dumb-bells waiting dusty from lack of use.

When You Don't Want To Be Pushed Around

There's something to be said for the visual image of feeding an enemy to a crocodile. For our infamous friend Peter, he'd had enough. Proud and insolent youth," said Hook, "prepare to meet they doom." He did not know that the crocodile was waiting for him, for the clock inside the crocodile had stopped. As the black pirate stood on the bulwark looking over his shoulder, Peter glided through the air and pushed him off with his foot. Thus perished James Hook.

Paper Dolls ~~ Always Fun to Play

The first inexpensive toy, paper dolls have been around since the invention of paper. While popular in Europe in the 1700's, North Americans didn't latch onto this popular hobby until much later. Illustrated above is Perry and Pam (who need help getting ready for the game) from a 1964 issue of the Golden Magazine for Girls and Boys.