Sunday, August 5, 2012

Sunday and Paper Dolls



This snapshot of my sister, Valerie and I has been around for a really long time. It's one of those photos that gets tucked into a shoebox and resurfaces from time to time. I had never thought much about it until recently when I scanned it to use in my sister's birthday mini-book.

Having always seen it in its 3.5"x3.5" form, faded and discolored, it hadn't evoked strong memories for me. But when I scanned it, made some quick edits in PhotoShop, and saw it in a larger size, the memories flooded my mind.


And there we were. Two little barefoot country girls, sitting on my great-aunt Floy's rickety front porch, me totally engrossed in punching out paper dolls and my little sister already hating crafts {haha}. Matching outfits, sun kissed cheeks - I can almost smell the rusty water and feel that old wooden step beneath my feet.

When is the last time you really looked at an old photo?

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I'm linking to Sian's Storytelling Sunday today. :o)


25 comments:

Karen said...

I didn't have a sister with whom to play paper dolls, but this story brought back a flood of memories. I spent hours and hours playing with my paper dolls. Thanks for the memories!

scrappyjacky said...

Like Karen....my memories of paper dolls came flooding back.....I absolutely loved them....and spent hours playing with them....I wish I'd kept them!

Lisa-Jane said...

Awww paper dolls! I used to love them. I hope my little girls will love them too one day. We are horribly short of old photos in this family.

Fiona@staring at the sea said...

I was another barefoot country girl who loved paper dolls. I've been looking at old photos today and trying to conjure a story out of them for Sian. I got lost in the memories and forgot why I had them out in the first place!

Alison said...

I LOVED paper dolls...I always remember dragging my mum round toy shops when we were on holiday, wanting to spend my 'holiday money' on them! Funnily enough, my little sister wasn't very interested either!
Alison xx

Irene said...

Paper dolls bring back childhood memories. Such a sweet photo of you and your sister.

Pure Ella said...

Oh so lovely! Look at you girls and crafting already??? ;) sooo cute!
I need to look at some old photos ;)
xoxo

Sian said...

I'm another HUGE paper doll fan! And it has put a big smile on my face to see that everyone else is too. How lovely is that? Your photo is just perfect - the colours just roll back the years, don't they? I love old photos. Thanks Deb, this is perfect.

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

so cute! I remember paper dolls! and I love old photos too.

Becky said...

I loved paper dolls too - my sister and I spent hours playing with them. Love your photo - I've used one from the 70's myself this month too!

Missus Wookie said...

Isn't amazing how touching up photos can cause such a different reaction? Love the backstory especially your sister hating crafts already :lol:

Irene said...

A very special photograph and memory of childhood times. My granddaughter has recently showed an interest in paper dolls, much to my pleasure.

debs14 said...

Amazing how different that photo looks in the second copy - love the memories that it has brought back for you. Great story.

Beverly said...

I loved playing with paper dolls! Love your matching outfits ;) I have been looking at a lot of oldies lately as I get ready for a scanning bonanaza!

Maria Ontiveros said...

I love the porch, the bare feet and the matching outfits. . . they bring back my childhood.
Rinda

Ginger said...

Isn't it funny how engrossed we could be with paper dolls? I loved them :) I miss those days of summer, being a child and living in the country. It seemed like time stood still. Not like the big city at all where we are so rushed!

Actually, I have been looking at lots of old photos lately. I really like to revisit them every now and then :) Loved your story Deb :)

Margaret said...

I loved paper dolls too. There was something so bittersweet about them. They were so perfect and so ephemeral.

Amy said...

I am another who liked paper dolls as a child!

furrypig said...

gorgeous photo Debs, I was never really into dolls of any kind though my little sister was! I must scan some pics of us together as kids and who knows maybe even scrap one!

Unknown said...

Love the picture, love the story, LOVE Photoshop, and love you!! <3

Cheri said...

I was also a barefoot country girl - but never got tan like you! Not so much into paper dolls - At that age I think I was into braided bracelets, the weaving loom, spirograph, and barbie dolls.

Jimjams said...

I used to have to cut out my paper dolls from the back of my comic - I did have shoes though ;o)

Mom said...

This picture didn't really bring back paper doll memories but oh, how it brough back memories of my 2 precious baby girls! I love this picture but my love for the two little cuties surpasses everything else! Love you! xoxo

Unknown said...

The first thing I saw in the photo after the paper doll books was the old wooden step. There is just something about wooden steps leading to a house that appeal to me. My daughter got a book of paper dolls for her birthday earlier this year from her Grandma. I was never a fan of them but she is playing with them.

Anonymous said...

Put me down as another who loved playing with paper dolls. It's funny i can't remember if my little sister did or not. I remember too McCalls magazine used to have a section in it every issue with paper dolls in it that I looked forward to when my Mum had finished with the magazine.

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