Welcome to My Raggedy Ann Toy Box
My very first doll was a musical Knickerbocker
Raggedy Ann that played London Bridge. I literally wore this doll
out. Distressed my mother talked me into putting my doll under the
Christmas Tree for repair. Instead of repairing my doll Santa left
me a new Knickerbocker Raggedy Ann that played Rock A Bye Baby. My
mother says that it made me mad and she and I had a toddler fight
over the new doll. "That's NOT MY DOLL!" "Yes, it is. Her dress is
just different." "Nuh, Uh!" "I don't like her, I want my old doll."
We went round and round, but my mother had to take my old Raggedy
Ann away because she was in pieces. I put the new Raggedy Ann away
in my doll bed until I forgot about my old Raggedy Ann. I finally
did learn to love the new Raggedy Ann, but it took time.
Somewhere around eight years later, I found the old Raggedy Ann doll
in my parents closet. Poor Raggedy Ann was a tragedy. She had
missing eyes, she had been sewn up everywhere, her stuffing was
coming out. However, that spark of forgotten love remained, I loved
her from the moment I found her! I would wind her up and then wind
up the other Raggedy Ann and listen to both melodies at the same
time. I went on a crusade two years later to fix her. I washed her
by hand and dried her. Then I decided that her hair was discolored
and needed to be re-dyed. I got down the Rit Dye and started to dye
her hair. Needless to say, I messed up the dyeing, so I decided to
take undiluted Clorox to her hair and try again. I did this all on
an old towel on top of the carpet. I ruined the carpet. I ruined my
clothes. I was in trouble for a LONG TIME!!! Poor Raggedy had to be
thrown away. So my first doll restoration project was a disaster, oh
well, if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!
My first room was decorated with Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. My
brother and I shared the room until I started school. If you have
seen the red gingham Raggedy Ann and Andy bedroom decor from the
70's this is my room. My mother also decorated a lamp with Raggedy
Ann and Andy. We both had matching Raggedy Ann and Andy sleeping
bags that were in the shape of both of the dolls. When that wore
out, my mother bought me a yellow Raggedy Ann sleeping bag. If you
look at the heart shaped clip art of Raggedy Ann and Andy above,
this picture was the pattern for my sleeping bag. My preschool
"wunch pail" was Snoopy, but when I started Kindergarten, my mother
bought me a brand new Raggedy Ann and Andy lunch pail. I used this
lunch pail (never lunch box) until I got an Empire Strikes Back one
years later. I believe that I also had a plastic Raggedy Ann apron
with all sorts of pockets that held cooking utensils. I think my
mother's decision to decorate our room with Raggedy Ann and Andy
strengthen my love for the dolls. My brother however, was a Winnie
the Pooh lover and years later my mother lovingly restored his Sear
Winnie the Pooh.
Raggedy Ann is a simple doll with the simple love theme. She even
has I LOVE YOU on her heart. Raggedy Ann, her brother Raggedy Andy
have a the simple face that a child can draw, she is soft and
cuddly, and she always seems as if she is waiting for you to come
home. Her dress is simple and uncomplicated , unlike today's
fashions, making her easy to dress and undress. She wears the same
type of simple classic dress I wore to school, minus the pantaloons
and apron. Something I read on a web site about Raggedy Ann sums
this doll up. "A child will play with any doll all day, but when
they go to bed they take Raggedy Ann." This is exactly how I feel
about Raggedy Ann. I love other dolls and collect all sorts and have
many different ones, but the one that stirs the passion in my heart
is Raggedy Ann. If you ever get a chance to see a Raggedy Ann
cartoon or read a book, I think you will understand the simple love
we Raggedy lovers have for this sweet doll.
Want a better look? Doll
pictures can be expanded to greater size. Click and see.
Lori
|
