MetroDolls Club of New Jersey hosted a luncheon and get together on Sunday, July 19th at the William Penn Inn, a restaurant founded in 1714, in Gwynedd, Pennsylvania.. The event provided a welcome interlude where people who hadn't seen one another in, perhaps, a couple of years, were genuinely delighted to catch up on the news and their shared hobby of doll collecting. The location was an outcome of a plan to share the hosting with a Pennsylvania club, using a tried and true venue, but as it happened, MetroDolls did all the hosting this time, and they did a splendid job.
I drove South on Saturday evening, only getting caught in two tremendous downpours on the way. No tornadoes as threatened, just lots of rain. The estimated time of my drive was about an hour and a half, but what with driving at a crawl during the sudden downpours and construction here and there, it took only about 15 minutes longer. I checked in at my hotel, and called my friend Andrea from MADC, who lives quite close, and she and her husband Craig met me for a drink at yet another famous place, the Joseph Ambler Inn. That place originated from a land grant to William Penn in 1681, it has functioned as a farm until 1933, when it was turned into a bed and breakfast. We ate and drank in JPub, a less formal setting than the restaurant across the hall. Really nice and low key, delicious food and a friendly wait staff.
So that took the edge off that harrowing drive! It was so nice to sit and schmooze outside of a Convention with schedule events. Andrea hadn't been aware of the MetroDolls event, but maybe next time. All the doll clubs should post on DollShow.com, a list format for Doll related events.
I have to interject a few words about the fieldstone that is used all over this part of PA. It is every shade of soft beige and rust. Fieldstone decorates the facades of houses, makes fences and retaining walls, and is even used to build entire buildings. The soft beige and earthy tones are gorgeous amidst the greenery everywhere. It's all picture postcard pretty.
So the luncheon....this was about the luncheon, right? The William Penn Inn was very pretty, there were between 60 and 65 attendees, and the buffet was exceptionally good. We were situated in a ball room. The front of the room had a podium for the presentation, with a screen in back of the tables. The lecture was presented by Marcia Friend, and was enhanced by a slide show. It was all about Doll Sized Couture, and featured examples of Dior, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Fath, Balenciaga, St Laurent, Pacquin and more. See the pictures!
The fact that 21st century manufacturers actually recreated these fashion is mind blowing. I am sure we did not realize the significance of these tiny creations at the time of their issue nearly as much as we do now. Manufacturers represented included Tonner Doll Company, Sandra Stillwell Presents (The Dior Junon and other petal skirted, beaded gowns.) Also represented were gowns from DAE and R&D.
A lovely day, a pleasure to see people, a moment of remembrance for Ed Haley, a few laughs and lots to look at.
The ride home was under clear skies, and as pretty as you could want. It was gloriously uneventful. Thank goodness!

Here are some pictures: