Roberta Writes – Esther Chilton’s writing challenge: Paper and Sunday Stills #shadormaprose #childhoodmemories #photographs

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Esther’s challenge this week is paper. You can read other contributions here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2025/06/04/writing-prompts-68/

Paper dolls (shadorma prose)

When I was eight, my sister, Hayley, was born. She suffered from cholic and was a terrible howler. Mom was exhausted and thin trying to care for this fretful baby who never slept. Granny Joan and Granddad Jack were living and working at a yacht club on the Vaal River, and they offered to have me to stay with them for the duration of the summer school holidays.

I was delighted. I loved staying with my father’s parents, and they liked having me as I was quiet and used to entertaining myself. The South African summer holiday runs for six weeks from the beginning of December, through Christmas, until approximately mid-January. The yacht club was great fun, with lots of family staying in chalets and enjoying the many activities including boating, swimming in the large pool, and eating endless ice creams and snacks from the small shop that Granny Joan ran with a helper. I made a few friends and joined in the swimming but, never one for crowds, I also liked alone time.

Prior to school closing, paper dolls had become popular. All the girls wanted these glamorous dolls made from thick cardboard. They came in a pack with stands and a vast wardrobe of clothing with tags to attach them to the dolls. I didn’t have one of these packs, and I didn’t ask for one, but somehow, Granny Joan knew I wanted paper dolls. Granny was an artist, and she kindly turned her drawing hand to sketching me a series of beautiful figures along the lines of Betty and Veronica from the Archie comics. She cut these figures out of firm cardboard and even made stands for them. She then drew several outfits for the dolls with tags, and I spent many happy hours colouring them in with felt tipped pens. I treasured these dolls and kept them for months before they eventually became too wobbly and bent to play with anymore. The creation and subsequent playing with these dolls are some of my favourite memories with Granny.

paper dolls

dressed in smart outfits

attached with

folded tags

providing hours of pleasure

for reserved girl child

Sunday Stills – Pretty in Pink

Terri’s prompt for Sunday Stills is pink in nature. These are pictures of pink flowers from my summer garden (it is now winter). You can join in here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2025/06/08/sunday-stills-monthly-color-challenge-shades-of-pink-in-the-great-outdoors/

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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70 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – Esther Chilton’s writing challenge: Paper and Sunday Stills #shadormaprose #childhoodmemories #photographs”

  2. I spent many hours playing with paper dolls as a child. I wish I still had some of them.
    And your flowers provide lovely splashes of color to my morning. (K )

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  3. I had hand made paper dolls too. I would cut outfits out of the Eaton’s and Sears’s catalogues for them. I made sure to add tabs as I cut them out. I also drew and coloured my own creations. They kept me entertained for hours as I made up stories for them to act out!

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  4. What a great summer holiday, home made presents are the best. Six weeks summer holidays when you are a child can be the best memories if you are lucky, I used to think the night before the holiday started was as exciting as Christmas.

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    1. HI Janet, the summer holidays were wonderful when I was young. We had a lot of freedom unlike modern kids. My grandmother was very creative and came up with all sorts of fun ideas for my entertainment. I do believe I was her favourite grandchild.

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  11. Love the photos, and the story is delightful. Our summer school holidays run from mid Dec to end of Jan. but it is so hot in February and March one wonders they should be included 🙂

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  22. What a lovely memory of staying with your grandparents and those paper dolls! Your grandmother sounds like she knew you well. I can feel the love between you.

    My kids used to make their own paper dolls, often from magazines. But they turned everything into dolls. 🙂 I got them some Little Women paper dolls, too. I think maybe when we visited Louisa May Alcott’s house.

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  24. Wonderful memories, Robbie. I, too, remember those paper dolls and their wardrobes. Great fun to play with.

    Your photographs of the pink flowers are lovely. I like the pink iris especially.

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  25. Hi, Robbie! My family was poor and we couldn’t afford paper dolls. What my mom did was give us the Sears catalog and other mags like this after she looked at them. I cut out everything from people and clothes to things for their houses, cars, and food. The most fun I had in those years!

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  30. I remember playing with paper dolls as a reserved child, too. To have your own unique dolls created by your Granny Joan is very special. What a lovely memory! The flowers are beautiful.

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