Terri Webster Schrandt of Second Wind Leisure assures us that our archives are full of pinks to satisfy this week’s #Sunday Stills challenge.
My pinks are mostly roses.
However, Cee Neuner has been helping me understand my new Sony camera. and this week she gave me an assignment. “Spend fifteen minutes and take no less than 20 pictures of Mary Louise experimenting with different apertures or f-stops.”
Most of these pictures were taken at F13 if that means anything to you.
“Don’t underestimate me just because I wear pink.”
Unknown
Introducing Mary Louise
Mary Louise belonged to Grandma Golda, born October 8, 1904 in Indianapolis, IN. From that information, I think Mary Louise was probably born between 1909 and 1914. According to one website I found, she was probably a very low quality China doll because they were starting to mass produce them by the early 1900s. https://quintessentialantiquedolls.wordpress.com/history-of-china-dolls/
By the time I had access to Mary Louise, her original clothing and parts of her body were tattered and yellowed, so Mom sent her to a doll repairer. Since Mom worked in a fabric store in the 1960s and 70s, I vaguely remember that she got a good deal on a remnant, probably both the fabric and the lace.
“Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink.”
Lilly Pulitzer
I should have been ecstatic when Mom brought Mary Louise from the hospital. To be honest, I remember being disappointed. At fifteen, I considered myself to be a competent doll clothes and roller skating outfits designer. Mary Louise came back in a dress with a neckline way too big for her. The fabric was stiff, more appropriate for heavy bedroom drapes, and not fitting her stature in life, in my expert opinion. Mom seemed pleased with Mary Louise’s chic new outfit. It was sturdy and honestly, it looks the same in 2021 as it did in the late 1960s.
“Pink makes me happy when I’m blue.”
Unknown
I don’t remember when Mary Louise lost her foot, or why it wasn’t repaired. Between the time Mary Louise was repaired and today I moved thirteen times, but I kept that foot in Grandma’s dresser until I sold it last summer. I was always going to fix it. Maybe I still will. Vince said he saw it here in Prescott. Then maybe Mary Louise might crack a tiny smile.
I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and… I believe in miracles.
Audrey Hepburn
This post is also submitted for Friendly Friday’s Blog Challenge – Time Capsule
Now it’s Your Turn to Turn Pink
Of course check out #Sunday’s Still’s great friends for ideas, but don’t stop there. Pink is everywhere. Strut yours.
Coming Up
- One more week to comment on the Twilight Zone-type Story Chat for June by Debbie Harris
- Still time to write a response to #WQWWC #28 Summer until Tuesday at 5:00 pm Phoenix time.
- Get Ready for #WQWWC #29 Heat on Wednesday.
- Post your great stories in Link-ups like Denyse Whelan and Natalie the Explorer. Write poetry for Tanka Tuesday For other photo and writing challenge opportunities check out Cee’s page For the Love of Challenges. You will find what fits your story this week.
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
45 responses to “#Sunday Stills: China Doll in Pink”
[…] Always Write […]
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I enjoyed your history of the doll, Marsha. I love pink and wear it most of the time.
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I have a lot of pink, too. We probably have similar coloring. Even with my hair naturally gray now, it looks blondish. Pink gives my face a little color. 🙂
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Great idea for a project for photography skills update. I was not a dolls’ girl nor was my daughter but the grandkids collected their fair share of Barbies…I remember in the centre of Sydney there was a Doll’s Hospital. I had no idea what happened there but you do!
Thank you again for your showcasing of my blog and the why last week.
I know you have more than likely seen enough of my blog, but if you link up could you kindly read my post & leave a comment…Thanks so much for joining in #LifeThisWeek link up on Monday 14 June. Your presence, comment on my post & adding your blog post too helps make a caring, connected community on-line. Next week the optional prompt is Share Your Snaps. Warm wishes, Denyse.
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Thanks for letting me know, Denyse. 🙂 You are too kind.
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How lovely to have something handed down in your family and Mary Louise looks very sweet. And it’s amazing her replacement dress has lasted so well!
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Mary Louise is very quiet. If she would talk about her history, that might give her a little more personality. I’d love to hear more about my grandma as a little girl.
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Very neat. LOVE the creativity. I love your quotes and the photos with them too.
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Did you notice I copied your style of displaying the quotes, which I adore?
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Yes, I noticed that ….it’s kind of fun isn’t it 🙂
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It is. 🙂 Your posts always look so cheerful. 🙂
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Love all the quotes and Mary Louise is a star!
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Who knows, maybe she will be in a short story one day. LOL
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That would be awesome!
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My dad used to send me pictures of teddy bears doing various activities and wanted me to write stories about them. I struggled to do that. My imagination is either not that keen, or the activities didn’t inspire me. LOL His bear was playing poker among other things. 🙂
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What a treasured heirloom in your family. She definitely is from another time and holds many precious memories. Thanks for joining in with the time capsule challenge on Friendly Friday. Fabulous story!
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Thanks, Amanda. I love being able to tie themes together, and yours certainly fit my story. I’m so glad I have gotten better acquainted with you and Sandy through your Challenge. 🙂
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It has been fun.
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Very nice doll and memories from your grandmother. I don’t why some people find antique dolls creepy. I like them. I started to collect dolls but don’t have much space, so now I collect images of them on Pinterest. 🙂 I’m glad you were able to find a little history on your grandmother’s doll.
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Thanks, Susan. I didn’t spend a lot of time on it, but it’s been in the family for a long time. She needs a new dress, though, don’t you think after 50-60 years?
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Maybe. 🙂 But, as you said, the original seems to have held up pretty well.
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It’s like new. I wish my clothes lasted so well. Mine shrink!!! LOL
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Mine too.
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LOL!
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🙂
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Oh and thank you for sharing my new color challenge image on your post. I took a page out of your book and created a graphic image for Sunday Stills which I will share next week! I’m so happy to have internet and using my desktop and big monitor at my desk! Makes me happy!
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It’s so much easier, Terri. I love your challenge image. So is this part of Sunday Stills or something different. You have had several color challenges in the past. 🙂
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Thanks, Marsha! It’s part of Sunday Stills, I guess a sub-theme.
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I like your new logo. 🙂
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Who can resist the pink panther song, Marsha? Wow, I love your photo study of Mary Louise! I chuckle since my aunt shared the same name! Cee gave you a great challenge which you met in a big way! You should definitely fix her foot if you can. I like how you have her posing with a car. LOL! I used to make doll clothes (both grandmas taught me to sew). Sadly when I moved to Sacramento at age 20 I left my huge collection of Barbie dolls behind and never found them again. I had classics and some would have been worth a fortune! Oh well, I have my memories! You seem to be enjoying your new camera and maybe I should listen to Cee and get some photos. I’m trying to get more bird pics for bird weekly!
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Thanks, Terri. I grabbed my camera today as a road runner ran right past my office window. By the time I got it on and ran to the next window, it had disappeared. It was fairly large. I’m glad Lisa has someone to substitute for her this week. I need to check out her Friday challenge. I do love my new camera, but I miss the larger macro lens, but I don’t miss carrying it. 🙂
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Fascinating journey of your doll. Lovely pictures too
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Thanks, Sadje. 🙂 I’ve enjoyed taking pictures at different angles and f-stops. I don’t see a ton of difference between them, but at the lower F-stops the pictures are more blurry around the edges. 🙂
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You’re welcome!
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Hi Marsha, glad to see you experimenting with your new Sony. That ‘blurry’ look is called the Bokeh effect and usually happens like you mentioned when using lower f stops. Since you took these all around f13, the background is in focus, along with your subject. When you play with Aperture, shoot the same subject at both ends of the f stop, working your way to the middle # and you will see a difference.
Love your representation of Terri’s ‘Pink’ challenge.
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Thanks, Suzanne. I wasn’t that organized with Mary Louise as you can see. Most of the pictures I liked, though were in the 11-13 range. F-stop 25 made the texture in the walls in perfect focus and looked really obnoxious! I imagine that at a long distance, that would be helpful. This is eye-opening stuff, even though I grew up with an amateur photographer who talked non-stop f-stops. Until you try it, you don’t get a feel for what you like. Thank you so much for you input. I will definitely try your more organized experimental model! 🙂 Love it! 🙂
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such a classic tune to go with the Pink Panther opening..
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Isn’t that such a great tune? I loved the Pink Panther movies. I didn’t see too many of the cartoons, but there are good memories. 🙂
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I think I remember the cartoons more than the movies…
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That’s because you are so much younger than I am. 🙂
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I doubt that 🙂
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🙂
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👍
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Love, love, love The Pink Panther. Great clip, awesome quotes and very provocative photos.
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Thanks, Donna. I had fun with this one. 🙂 Mary Louise wasn’t trying to be provocative. She’s awfully old for that! 🙂
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