My Doll Cottage

17/06/2026

Sometimes the most meaningful additions to the museum aren’t objects.

On a recent visit, Les Stevens took the time to write a poem inspired by My Doll Cottage. What started as a gift for Mum has now become part of the collection itself, displayed on canvas beside one of her favourite dolls.

Since then, we’ve had the chance to read more of Les’s work. His poetry captures Australia in a way that feels both familiar and new – the places, the memories, the moments we often pass by without noticing.

It’s a reminder that history isn’t just held in objects like dolls and toys. It lives in words, in memories, and in the way we choose to see the world.
If you’d like to read more of Les’s poetry, you can contact us or reach him directly at [email protected]

Blog: https://www.mydollcottage.com.au/post/celebrating-poetry-at-my-doll-cottage

15/06/2026

🧸 Toy of the Week 🧸

This week's Toy of the Week is Winnie Walker, a delightful walking doll that holds a special place in the My Doll Cottage collection.

Unlike many dolls of her era, Winnie was designed to "walk" when guided by a child, reflecting the fascination with movement and innovation that swept through the doll industry during the 1950s. Walking dolls became incredibly popular during this period as manufacturers searched for new ways to bring dolls to life and make play more interactive. Winnie Walker was one of the dolls produced to capture this excitement.

Our Winnie Walker is particularly special because she inspired something unexpected. During a visit to the museum, local poet Les Stevens was so taken with the doll that he wrote a poem about her. The poem now hangs beside Winnie in the museum, creating a beautiful connection between dolls, memories, storytelling and art.

Sometimes a doll is more than a toy. Sometimes it becomes a reminder of a person, a memory, or even an inspiration for a poem.

Have you ever had a favourite doll or toy that sparked a special memory?

You can read the full story and see the poem on our website:
https://www.mydollcottage.com.au/post/celebrating-poetry-at-my-doll-cottage



www.mydollcottage.com.au/dolls-and-toys/c-1955-1960-winnie-walker-talking-doll-by-the-advanced-toy-co-united-states

A mid-1950s American-made Advanced Toy Co “Winnie” 24-inch hard plastic walker talking doll, complete with original clothing and box.

13/06/2026

World Doll Day – Celebrating Dolls and the Memories They Hold

World Doll Day is celebrated each year on the second Saturday of June, bringing together collectors, museums, makers and doll lovers from around the world.

Founded in 1986 by doll collector Mildred Seeley, the day encourages people to share the joy of dolls and the stories they tell. While dolls are often seen as children's toys, they are also important pieces of history that reflect changing fashions, materials, cultures and childhood experiences.

At My Doll Cottage, our collection spans more than 200 years of doll history. Every doll in our display cabinets has its own story – whether it was a cherished childhood companion, a treasured family heirloom or a beautifully crafted work of art.

World Doll Day reminds us that dolls are more than objects. They connect us to memories, families and generations past.

Happy World Doll Day from My Doll Cottage.

Do you remember the doll that meant the most to you as a child?

12/06/2026

🧵 Fun Fact Friday 🧵

Today is National Raggedy Ann and Andy Day!

Did you know Raggedy Ann was first created in 1915 by American illustrator Johnny Gruelle? Her little brother, Raggedy Andy, followed a few years later in 1920. Together they became some of the most recognisable cloth dolls in the world and have remained beloved by collectors and children for more than 100 years.

While our photo today isn't a Raggedy Ann doll, it is another wonderful example of a simple cloth and toy tradition that was loved by generations of children. This little clip-on teddy bear doll was designed to attach to a child's clothing, pram or bag, making it a constant companion on everyday adventures.

Long before electronic toys and screens, dolls and soft toys were treasured friends, carried everywhere and often loved until they literally wore out.

Do you remember owning a Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Andy, teddy clip, or favourite cloth doll when you were growing up?

10/06/2026

The Song That Doesn’t End🎶🎵

Do you remember Lamb Chop❓

The cheeky little sock puppet created by Shari Lewis brought laughter and charm into homes across the world. She wasn’t just cute — she was full of personality. Smart, funny and endlessly loveable.

We’ve added a new blog celebrating her history and impact. A very clever woman who stayed relivant and changed with the time impacting generations of children.

https://www.mydollcottage.com.au/post/lamb-chop---the-little-sock-puppet-with-the-biggest-personality

08/06/2026

🧸 Toy of the Week 🧸

This week's Toy of the Week is a charming and increasingly uncommon Australian-made Bonnie Baby doll from the 1950s.

Measuring just 10½ inches tall, this hard plastic baby doll features moulded hair, sleep eyes, jointed limbs and the distinctive "Bonnie Baby" trademark marking on its back. Produced during Australia's post-war toy manufacturing boom, dolls like this were designed to encourage nurturing and imaginative play while providing families with locally made alternatives to imported toys.

What makes this example particularly interesting is that it represents a period when Australian doll makers were beginning to produce dolls in a wider range of skin tones. While still relatively uncommon compared to fair-skinned dolls of the era, examples such as this help tell a broader story about Australian toy production and collecting today.

Our doll is marked "Bonnie Baby" and is currently displayed in later clothing, showing how many vintage dolls were lovingly redressed and enjoyed by generations of children. Despite its small size, it provides a fascinating glimpse into Australia's doll-making history.

Do you remember owning a Bonnie Baby doll or another Australian-made baby doll from your childhood?

Read more about this doll on the My Doll Cottage website:
https://www.mydollcottage.com.au/dolls-and-toys/c-1950s-10-1-2-hard-plastic-baby-doll-by-bonnie-baby-australia

07/06/2026

World Ocean Day 🌊 Let's keep our seas clean, blue, and full of life. Sending waves of love to our beautiful oceans! 🐚✨

05/06/2026

Fun Fact Friday 🎵

Did you know the song "This Is the Song That Doesn't End" wasn't originally called that?

The song first appeared on the children's television show Lamb Chop's Play-Along in the 1990s, performed by the puppet Lamb Chop. The simple tune was designed to be repeated over and over again, creating one of the most memorable (and sometimes frustrating!) earworms in children's television history.

The song became so popular that many people can still sing it decades later:

🎵 "This is the song that doesn't end,
Yes, it goes on and on, my friend..." 🎵

Love it or hate it, it's proof that a simple tune can stay in our memories for a lifetime!

Do you remember watching Lamb Chop, or have you ever had this song stuck in your head for days? 😄



Just one small note: many Australians remember it from the 1990s, but the song actually debuted on Lamb Chop's Play-Along in 1988 and remained popular throughout the 1990s.

03/06/2026

Did you know not all porcelain dolls are bisque?

✨Porcelain dolls shine with a glossy finish, while bisque dolls have a soft, realistic texture that gives them their lifelike charm.

Discover the fascinating evolution from porcelain elegance to bisque beauty in this week’s museum blog!