Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award- UPDATED

Phyllis of A Day in the Life of My Dolls nominated me for the "Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award." Here are my answers to her 10 questions:

1. Do you collect anything other than dolls?

Yes, I collect frogs. No, not real ones, silly! I collect plush, ceramic, resin, and other cutesy display frogs. My frog collection resides in my classroom. I started collecting frogs almost ten years ago.

2. Why did you start a doll blog?

I was captivated by the community of doll enthusiasts sharing their love of all things doll related. I saw clever and crafty people with a cool hobby forging friendships and thought, "I wanna be a part of that!" And when Phyllis took the leap and started her blog, I was inspired to do the same. I think I started mine a couple of weeks later...which reminds me Phyllis and I just had blog anniversaries!

3. What is your grail doll?

Fashion Royalty Homme Fast Track Victor James, because not only is he pricey, but he doesn't show up on eBay all that often. 

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you travel to?

That's a hard one, much too hard for one as indecisive as I am. A Mediterranean cruise seems like a good compromise.

5. What kind of music do you like?

My taste in music is a bit all over the place. Scrolling through my playlists would have someone thinking I have multiple personality disorder. I have favorite songs in just about every genre including but not limited to country, hip hop, pop, rock, gospel, and R&B. I also love movie soundtracks. I have a play list specifically for my favorite songs from movies.

6. How did you get started collecting dolls?

When I was a girl, my grandmother used to buy me porcelain dolls. She built up my collection over many years, but I donated it after high school I think. She also bought me Barbie dolls as a young girl. My grandmother loved to look at doll catalogs. I can remember her pouring over pictures of dolls designed by Bob Mackie as well as the American Girl catalogs.

7. What are your feelings about doll articulation?

Any doll intended for play should be fully articulated. I just don't get the idea of making playline dolls that can't be played with. And that is exactly why I stockpile articulated bodies and swap heads. I previously swore off further purchases of dolls lacking articulation, but I lifted the ban for the 2015 Fashionistas with the interesting new faces.

8. Do you know exactly how many dolls you have in your collection?

Yes, I do. It's a very modest number by collecting standards- 88 dolls with plans to add six more before the year is out.

9. What type of dolls do you collect?

I collect 12 inch fashion dolls with normal- or near normal-sized heads. My collection includes Barbie and friends, Dynamite Girls, Mixis, Prettie Girls, and a few others. I find the Ever After High dolls cute and the Monster High dolls intriguing, but I don't collect them.

10. Do you set up dioramas for your dolls or do you keep them in display cases?

My mantra used to be, "I am a player, not a displayer" but thanks to Georgia Girl, that is now only 95% true as I have a glass display case of brides in my doll room. And though I vowed to play with every single one of them, I'm finding it hard to upset their perfect hair and dress. I set up dioramas (nothing too elaborate as I'm not that crafty) for all the other dolls to enjoy. Two new dios are coming soon- a patio for Lena and a bridal salon.

My questions are:

1. Which doll is the one that started it all for you?

2. Why did you start a doll blog?

3. Do you collect anything besides dolls?

4. What kind of movies do you like to watch?

5. What's your favorite song from a movie soundtrack?

6. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

7. If money were no object, what doll related purchase would you make right now?

8. If you could have any celebrity made into a doll, who would it be?

9. Do you prefer your dolls boxed or deboxed? Why?

10. Which doll is the one that got away? This should be a doll you decided to pass on purchasing, sell or give away and you regret that decision.

My nominees (if they'd like to play along) are:

1. Janainah of Jaye's Doll Space

2. The grandmommy of Big and Little Creations

3. Billa of Billa's Dolls and Fashions

4. D7ana of A Philly Collector of Playscale Dolls and Action Figures

5. Vanessa of Fashion Dolls at Van's Doll Treasures

I look forward to getting to know you all better : )

UPDATE:
The start of school put me behind on my blog reading, so I was surprised to learn that Debbie of Black Doll Enthusiast had nominated me for the award, too. Thanks so much Debbie for the nomination and for your kind words about my story telling.

My answers to Debbie's questions are below.

1) When did you publish your first blog?
My first post was made on July 14, 2014.

2) What inspires you to write a new post?
I'm always eager to share my excitement over new doll-related purchases. And then there's the need to tell my stories. I swear I'm thinking them up faster than I can post them.

3) Other than your blog, what else do you write?
I wrote a poem last week. I teach elementary school and I model the writing process for my students, so I write a variety of poems, narratives, and essays over the course of each school year.

4) Has any of your other writing been published?
Nope.

5) How long have you been a collector?
I've been a collector for about a year and a half.

6) List everything you enjoy collecting?
I really only collect two things: fashion dolls and frogs. If you asked my husband, he'd probably add shoes and purses to the list, though.

7) How do others feel about your collection?
My students (fourth graders) think it's really cool, and my husband is amused by it.

8) If you could purchase anything you enjoy collecting, what would it be and why?
I recently started a collection within my collection- Barbie brides. I would love to purchase the Vera Wang Traditionalist bride and the Carolina Herrera bride.

9) Please share anything about yourself that you would like your readers to know.
I really enjoy the camaraderie of the doll community. Doll people are some of the most creative and inspiring people one could ever meet. You all inspire me, and your positive feedback encourages me.

10) Share one thing about yourself that would surprise most people.
Most people would be surprised to know that I grew up in poverty. I still remember the taste of government milk and cheese. I remember winters without heat when our house would get so cold that the water in the toilets would freeze. God's grace has brought me a mighty long way.