I think it was last November or early December when my friend Mary and I were out driving around looking to see what mischief we could get into.  We stopped at one of our favorite fabric stores and were wandering around looking at things when I overheard a conversation between one of the customers and a store employee.  I shamelessly eavesdropped while they discussed Jason Wu's fashions, and at some point, dolls were mentioned.  Not being the shy, retiring type, I stepped out and boldly announced that I too loved Jason Wu, his designs, and his dolls. 

Next thing I knew, Mary and I were seated at the pattern table with Marcia, a woman who knows Robert Tonner, Jason Wu, and a host of others from all the conventions she has attended.  She is no longer collecting modern fashion dolls, but is concentrating on antique French fashion dolls for which she sews incredible dresses. 

The three of us talked for some time, exchanged phone numbers and e-mails and swore to get together after Christmas to talk about starting a doll club.

Christmas came and went and Mary kept asking me whether I'd called Marcia yet.  Like all procrastinators, I promised repeatedly to get around to it, but just didn't.  I also realized I no longer knew where the scrap of paper with Marcia's number was. 

This week, the snap on my wallet broke and I was forced to get a new one.  As I cleaned out my wallet, I found the little piece of paper wedged in behind some other papers in the card section.  I was on the phone within 30 seconds leaving a message for Marcia.  She called back and we set a time to meet next week.  Then I mentioned that Mary and I were planning a little Wedding Party of our own.  Marcia wanted to know if she could come. She said she'd bring food, so I told her she'd be completely welcome.

So, Friday we watched the Royal Wedding while feasting on salmon rolls, beef and cucumber sandwiches, fresh strawberries and raspberries with cream, chocolate meringue cookies, cheese with rice crackers (the double gloucester was my favorite) Mary's home made scones with Devonshire cream and two kinds of tea. 

The conversation flowed from dolls to weird hats at the wedding to a million other things, and I could see that the core for our doll club was formed.

After the wedding, when we were all replete, we went through some boxes that Mary gets from time to time from someone she knows in the fashion business.  They are filled with all sorts of fabric samples that range from upholstery fabric to the fabrics used in men's suits.  We divided up floral chintzes, satiny striped pieces, cotton retro patterns, and all sorts of other odds and ends.   Marcia took home a pile.  I had two bags full and Mary was left with two boxes to go through.  A good time was had by all!

We are meeting next week at Panara Bread to plan our club.  I have only ever concentrated on one sixth scale, but Mary has all kinds of dolls, and I now own a Riley Kish (a gift from Mary.)  I have a feeling that we are all about to embark on a new learning experience where dolls are concerned as we all share what we love.

What if I hadn't butted in to the conversation that day at Field's fabrics?  What if Marcia hadn't asked if she could join our Royal Wedding party?  Not that Mary and I don't keep ourselves thoroughly entertained, but the party was so much more fun with Marcia (and all her delicious food!) added into the mix.  She even brought two dolls to join Mary's Poppy Parker and  Momoko, and my Vero, who all sat on one of my doll couches, enjoying the wedding and watching their figures while we all over-ate.

It pays to be bold.  So many chances slip by and I'm very glad I took this one!