Ready for Our Close- Up

KMFA, Austin's public radio classical music station, is preparing a new promotion.  Playing on the famous "Keep Austin Weird" motto, designed to promote Austin's creative community and local businesses, KMFA's promotion is entitled "On Key, Off Beat."  Archer Malmo, the advertising firm in charge of the campaign, sought out unusual Austin organizations and reached out to our doll club.  On July 7, 2016, we participated in a photo session at our usual meeting place.  The call went out to members to bring a wide variety of dolls, and as many as possible.  Many members generously lent their dolls. 

With help from members, the crew began creating the illusion of a cosy room with an abundant and overflowing doll collection.

Prominently displayed in the center was this ultra-cool vintage radio, no doubt tuned to KMFA.

Our photogenic member, Mary McKenzie, volunteered to be the representative for our club. 

A wardrobe change, and Mary is ready to play the part of a doll collector seated in her doll room, enjoying a cup of tea and listening to her favorite classical music station. 

The photographer directing Mary. 

After a series of photos, the photographer and crew review the pictures.

 Mary sits patiently while the dolls are rearranged to ensure the best photographic results.

Afterwards, members of the photography crew could not resist posing with their favorite doll.

Member Jes Hawkins also joined in.

We are told the promotion will roll out sometime in the fall.  Everyone is looking forward to seeing the end result!

July 4, 2016, Meeting

 The refreshments table was appropriately decked out in patriotic red, white, and blue.

Also appropriate for the dog days of summer, member Mary McKenzie did a program on dolls and their dogs.  Here she holds a little fripon, the type of puppy made to accompany the French doll Bleuette.

Mary brought many of her own exquisite artistic creations, each accompanied by a canine companion.

A Marie Antoinette automaton offers cake to her fluffy pup.

A vintage dalmatian next to an older fuzzy spitz. 

These dolls pose with needle-felted papillons modeled on Mary's own beloved pets.

These older dogs represent the Borzoi, a breed often found with French Fashion dolls.  An antique toy Borzoi can cost hundreds of dollars.  

Mary's interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's fictional characters, Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan, with a little beagle pup.

Other members brought toy dogs to share.  Bette Birdsong shows off some of her kennel of canines.

A wooden Mickey and Minnie Mouse with Pluto Pup, made by Fun-e-Flex in the 1930s.

Bisque bathing beauties from the early 1900s posing with puppies.

A vintage Barbie walks her poodle.

A Sasha girl cuddles a vintage cloth puppy. 

Myrna Loesch displays a diminutive "Snobby" poodle by the German company Steiff.

Friendship Fair

Member Sylvia McDonald displayed some of her extensive collection of foreign and ethnic dolls at the Friendship International Culture Fair on May 17, 2016.  Friendship International meets at the First Baptist Church in Round Rock, but it is open to anyone who wants to improve their English, prepare for citizenship, or learn skills such as  sewing, cooking, photography, and computer literacy.

Here she is joined by her husband, Frank.