Morgantown 2025

What a fun time! The Morgantown paper doll party was a blast! This year's theme was Think Pink. I drove down on Thursday to visit with Jenny and a bunch of other early birds. Friday was a day spent out & about with the actual party on Saturday.

 

Jenny and I shared a table. I didn't have a lot of new art this time. It's been a bit hectic lately but I do have some things in the works...! I never take enough pictures at these events - I'm always busy catching up with old friends and making new friends. This time was no different! 

I was asked to design the souvenir doll, which was great fun! Jayne Keller created a black & white coloring sheet as well as the dress-a-doll. Linda Ocasio wrote up a very nice essay on the color pink. The whole day was very well organized and oodles of fun. 

Each table at lunch had a lovely centerpiece designed by Andrea Johnson. I was the lucky winner of the one at our table! How fantastic is this?! 

I'm not a big collector, although I always seem to come home with treasures! Working from right to left here's what I picked up. First, Laura and Sara had a lovely tribute for Ralph included a reprint of one of his paper dolls for all of us. Kwei-Lin had a funky and fun freebie sheet as well as a coloring station. Next, is a Peck-Gandre Alice in Wonderland. I have a growing collection of Peck-Gandre/Peck-Aubrey paper dolls that I wanted as a kid and never got! The artist, Linda Peck, has a website where she sells digital downloads. In the back row, I found two "around the world" themed paper dolls: Children 'Round the World (reproductions are available at Paperdoll Review) and Dress Up for the World's Fair. Next, a really cute book of School Children, with six dolls. In front of that, two pantine/jointed dolls by Mercury Nightstone, who joined us for the first time at the party! And finally, the souvenirs in a cute bag. 

 

I also have a Golden Magazine in excellent shape from the freebie table and an immaculate copy of Dolls and Doll Houses from 1959. I love paper doll how-to books and kits. Despite the fact that the paper doll section of this one is slim, I still needed it! 

Let's take a closer look at some of these fun goodies! 

This is the back and front cover of School Children from 1975. These dolls are delightfully adorable and retro and I am in love1

A close-up of Nancy, one of the six paper dolls on the back cover.

The interior has this great grid layout on every page. It's so simple but so clever! It feels more like a 1960s book than a mid-70s book so maybe it's a reissue. Regardless, I love this style! 

Next up, Dress Up for the World's Fair.

This book commemorates the 1964-1965 World's Fair in New York. I immediately loved the cover! The typography, the art, the layout - it's all terrific. 

The dolls are Peter and Wendy. Is that an accident or a reference to Peter Pan? Either way, I really like this art style as well.

I love the detail in all of the world costumes. Each page also includes photos of actual buildings or exhibits from the World's Fair. Even the handwriting is wonderful!

And finally, a quick peek at the Golden Magazine.

I haven't seen many Golden Magazines. There were before my time! But every one of them is full of amazing illustrations. I would have LOVED this as a kid! 

 

Mother's Day is this weekend, so here's a "ham" loaf recipe! As far as vintage 60s recipes go, I've seen worse!  It's kid-friendly for sure.

 

And this amazing calendar at the end!

 

Oh, and one more thing...

 

I know she's a bit shiny, but Mercury's alien doll and No AI Art sticker both have a home on my cork board! Fabulous!