Due to my health, I've had a lot more time online this week (as I've not been able to do a lot else). I've enjoyed blogging a bit more regularly although I've not enjoyed not being able to craft - especially crochet. The steroids are doing their thing though and I've improved so much since Wednesday. I'm really positive about this new phase of managing my chronic conditions over time.
Today, I was catching up on some of your lovely blogs and realised that Amy is holding a Five on Friday linky party. I know for a while that she has been working on doing this type of theme with a range of bloggers but somehow missed her first party last week. Amy is such a genuine, friendly and supportive blogger I simply had to join in!
As you may have realised, I'm not up to much presently but thought you may like to see my Matryoshka Doll collection - my Five on Friday. My little dolls I'm sharing here are a mixture of carefully crafted traditional sets and modern takes on the theme. There is just something about them which I completely love.
Wikipedia explains a bit of the history - A matryoshka doll also known as Russian nesting doll, refers to a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside the other. The first Russian nested doll set was made in 1890.
This is probably my favourite set gifted to me by my lovely Mum as she knows I have a weakness for them!
They are much more rotund in shape - wider at the base and smaller at the head than my other sets. These are painted beautifully; their faces are super pretty and the scene on the middle is wonderfully detailed with highlights in gold.
There are 8 dolls in the set and the smallest is as small as my finger nail.
They are currently housed on my dresser in the kitchen and bring me a little pleasure each day.
:: #2
This set is really colourful - an unusual shade of dark blue as the main colour. My Mum gave these to me one Christmas - as I love blue, flowers and Russian dolls!! These are the shapes that are more widely available although I have never seen another mainly blue set. The smallest doll is tiny and doesn't stand on its own. I usually keep it inside the larger doll so it doesn't get lost. I especially like their cheerfulness, rosy cheeks and jolly colours. These also form part of my current display on my kitchen dresser.
:: #3
These were a gift from my sister and actually started life as bottle stoppers! I knew that I would never use them for that purpose but really liked them. To make an effective use of them I chopped off the cork stopper bits and simply use the doll parts for display. These are resin and don't nest but I love the pastel colours and their size is super cute. The largest one is not even 2 inches tall!!
:: #4
This set I picked up at a charity shop for pennies - mainly because at the time my Littlie's were obsessed with putting my other sets of the dolls in and out of their nesting sets. I hadn't wanted my favourite set (which is a little more delicate) to get damaged and so picked this up as it was more robust.
I later found that each of the nesting dolls were painted differently - initially I was attracted to the strategically placed strawberries! I love how the smaller dolls have flowers painted on the top of their heads - so cute. I adore their simplicity and natural charm.
:: #5
These are my most modern type of Matyroska themed decoration. I really like them - they are functional and pretty. The blue and green shades in the background of the two larger tins are my two most favourite colours. I bought them for myself in a little shop in Wadebridge in Cornwall probably 10 years ago and they are still one of my favourite purchases.
I wouldn't part with any of these Matryoska sets. Not for their financial worth but for their sentimental value and their suitability to my taste in decor. I hope too that they will prompt memories of happy play times for my children in the future.
Hopefully next Friday I'll be able to share with you my latest Works In Progress - yes there are currently five of them. Naughty me!!! I'm hopeful that my hands will be able to crochet tomorrow given the present level of improvement. Each project is at a different stage of development but I hope to make some progress in the days ahead!
I do hope you have a wonderful weekend. Take care,
J9 x
Joining in with Amy and her Five on Friday Linky Party
What lovely sets! My Mum has a set of Father Christmas matryoshka dolls that only come out in December. I bought her an unpainted set one year as a birthday present but she hasn't quite settled on the design so I don't think she's painted them yet
ReplyDeleteLovely matryoshkas, I used to love playing with them when I was little too, it's always nice to find one more than you expect. I'm glad you're experiencing some improvement, I do hope you can do a little crochet tomorrow. Wishing you a good weekend. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI love your collections and photos. Wow. I have only one set and its a set of stacking Santas. Not a real matryoshka
ReplyDeleteFirstly sorry to read that you're not so well - I've been a bit out of the loop, but sending you happy & positive thoughts and hope that you feel loads better soon. Thanks for sharing your lovely collection, they are all so pretty! I have a little set in my craft room, that I bought in St Petersburg a few years ago - the detail on them is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend, lovely
Xx
I've always been intrigued with matryoshka dolls too. My sister had a set and I loved to play with it when I was little. I bought my daughter one (red theme) when she was young, and then I saw a set of Santa in the same rotund shape as your beautiful beige set. Your collection is very charming! Enjoy your weekend,
ReplyDeleteWendy
Sorry to be late visiting. All of your matryoshka are wonderful, I love the different sizes and shapes, especially the really round ones. The ones that you bought for the children remind me of the sort that I remember people having in the 70's, I always coveted them! Perhaps one day I will own a set! A great collection. Thank you so much for joining in and sharing. I hope you are having a good weekend! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely collection! I love the blue ones the best - the colourable and pink flowers caught my eye right away! I can see why your little people like to play with them - so many hours could be spent popping each doll in and out of its neighbour. It would never get old for them! ( PS Glad your meds are helping your pain!)
ReplyDeleteWe always love seeing others matryoshka collections! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete