Monday, September 7, 2009

GONE WITH THE WIND Ball Blog Party!


My sweet , talented, beautiful friend Nikki of The Scarlett Rose Garden is playing hostess for us today for a wonderful party celebrating GONE WITH THE WIND! Please remember to stop by her blog to see her wonderful post and a list of all the other participants.

To say that I'm excited about today's Gone With the Wind Ball Blog Party is SUCH an understatement. GWTW is my all-time favorite book and movie. It's simply a classic in every sense of the word.


Margaret Mitchell's book has always spoken to me in a way that few others ever have. I borrowed my mother's copy of the book when I was in 6th grade (Thanks, Mother ~ I'm still  stealing borrowing it!) and can still remember not wanting to put it down to go to sleep at night. And on Saturday mornings I can remember laying in bed reading til my mother made me get up and eat breakfast.  Ms. Mitchell captured the mannerisms, the speech cadences, the history, the beauty and the ugliness, too of all that happened during the Civil War years in the South. And being a true GRITS ~ Girl Raised In The South ~ I relished every minute of it.
*click on all pics to enlarge*
And then there is the movie. It won an unprecidented 10 Academy Awards. I adore the costuming, the stars, the music, the costuming, the beautiful scenery, the period story line, the costuming, the lovely opulent Southern plantation homes, and did I mention the costuming?!?

Clark Gable ~ be still my heart ~
Vivien Leigh
Leslie Howard and Olivia De Havilland
The scenery, props, and architecture were amazing
Click here to go to more interior pictures at Hooked On Houses
All this leads me to share with you a few of my various GWTW collections.


*click on all pics to enlarge*


Hallmark GWTW Ornaments

Madame Alexander Scarlett in BBQ Dress
Dave Grossman GWTW Figurines ~ Scarlett O'Hara and Ashley Wilkes
I have another Ashley Wilkes figurine on my selling blog here if you are interested
Bonnie Blue Butler ~ rare to find her likenesses
Dave Grossman Tara with teensy bronze figurines
Porcelain Franklin Mint Scarlett O'Hara ~ gifted to me by my dear friend Lori of Pink Faded Roses
French "Scarlet in Crinoline" Les Femmes Du Siecle - 1865
D'Arceau Limoges by FR. Ganeau
Oval Cameo Series Pearls and Promises Wedding Plate
Franklin Mint Domed "Betrothal"
Dave Grossman ~ Scarlett and Charles Hamilton's Wedding
Seymour Mann Scarlett O'Hara Wedding Doll
Franklin Mint and Dave Grossman Figurines
Lg Franklin Mint Egg ~ Rhett and Scarlett at Tara
Franklin Mint Scarlett's Costumes
GWTW Jewelry
Peggy Nisbet Rhett Butler
Dave Grossman Figurine ~ Scarlett and Ashley
GWTW Polonaise Ornaments
Enesco Scarlett and Rhett Jack in the Boxes
Scarlett's Costume Plate with a matching Dave Grossman and a Hallmark Ornament
Bradford Exchange The Costuming of a Legend: Dressing GWTW with Walter Plunkett's costume sketch in insets ~ Scarlett's Costuming Plates ~ special gifts from my dear friend Bertie of Aunt May's Cottage
GWTW Barbie as Scarlett in the BBQ Dress
Carol Burnett Went with the Wind Doll as "Starlett" in a spoof of the Drapery Dress
~ For some giggles, watch the entire spoof (parts 1 and 2)  here  ~
Scarlett ~ Florence Pasedena Figurine ~ a trade with my sweet friend Laurie of Charming Designs
Sign that hung over my parent's Antique Shop, now in our gameroom
Truth be told, I've lost count of how many times I've read the book now. I was reading it at 1 am  when I went into labor with my daughter!  *Side note: I was determined if my child were a boy (SHE wasn't!) that his name would be Rhett, but I could not in good faith name my daughter Scarlett! There is no telling how many times I've watched the movie ~ somehow my love of the movie skipped a generation and I don't believe my daughter has ever sat all the way thru the film, but my precious granddaughter has many times, and at the young age of 4 yrs. could mimic Scarlett's famous "Fiddle Dee Dee! War, War, War. That's all men ever talk about!" phrase perfectly with such a sweet little Southern drawl!

I also have the sequel, Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley. (Both the book and the movie.) Not as intriguing as the original GWTW, but still interesting. If anyone has read Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig please let me know if you think it would be a good read. 
Thanks so very much for visiting with me today!

I have quite a few more collectibles that I have not shared with you. Very fearful that this post has gotten entirely too long ~ just let me know in the comments section if you would like to see more and if there is enough interest I'll do another GWTW post soon.

 How am I ever going to be able to visit all the GWTW party participants today? Hmmm....I'll worry about that tomorrow. After all....tomorrow IS another day!

~ Fiddle Dee Dee ~

37 comments:

Donna said...

Wow! You have a huge collection of GWTW stuff. I have never seen some of those items before. Thanks for sharing.

D

Bearly Sane said...

Is that all yours? Wow...you must be a keen collector!
Hugs,
Sandi - Fantasy & Fancy

Jorgelina said...

Wonderful collection!
Hugs

Rue said...

Holy smokes Stephanie! I've never seen such a collection... I think our host Nikki might just be pea green with envy ;)

Thank you for sharing all your treasures with us!

xo,
rue

Beansieleigh said...

Hi Stephanie! My goodness,you do have quite a collection! I DO so want that Carol Burnett doll if I can find it! I don't even know if that is out yet or not to order/purchase... I will have to look that up! LOVED your mirror with the tiny figurines all lined up on it! My grandmother used to have one very similar that she displayed hummels on, so it really did bring back a happy memory for me! Hope you're enjoying a wonderful holiday weekend, and all the Blogland Ball festivities! ~tina

Unknown said...

I don't think I have ever seen such a wonderful collection. I also have seen the movie several times, but only recently read the book. I loved the book. I have heard that both Scarlett and Rhett's people are good but not equal to the real thing. I think that I am still going to read both. Simply because I am now fascinated.
Love your post!
~Liz

Vicki said...

Hi, Stephanie,
You have such a wonderful GWTW collection! I loved looking at it all. How could anyone not fall in love with Rhett Butler? I know I have many times over! Thanks for sharing your beauties, and yes, I would love to see more. Vicki

Tara said...

You have a beautiful collection! I'm sure you must enjoy it very much. This has always been one of my favorite movies. Sorry to say I don't have any collectibles though. Only a paperback version of the book and the movie, but they let me get transported to another world just the same! Hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy the ball!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

OMG Stephanie!
You have such a large collection. You have been gathering for many, many years. It appears that most of it was yours. I loved the sign GOne With the Wind. I do not have one single thing that is gone with the wind, but I have always loved the movie. It was so real Southern, and the house was actually what a plantation looked like. I loved the movie. Thanks for sharing all of your beautiful collectibles. You will have so many things to pass down to your grands and great grands someday. How absolutely devine. Thank you for sharing. Country hugs, Sherry

Valerie said...

I loved reading about all your wonderful memories of GWTW and your fantastic collections.

The vignettes are so beautiful.

Thanks for sharing these with us.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

That was fun! Thanks for sharing, what an awesome collection you have!!! Cindy

Debbie said...

WOW....what a beautiful collection...I LOVED the way you did this post. It was really wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed myself browsing through your things. Sooo pretty....Debbie

xinex said...

You have the most exquisite collection of Scarlett and Rhett, Stephanie. Thank you for showing them to us...Christine

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

You have a marvelous collection of GWTW things! I enjoyed seeing all of it! Thanks for sharing!

Katherine

said...

Your GWTW collectibles are amazing! I only recently {in the last year} finally saw the movie from beginning to end.

Jennifer said...

Steph I never get tired of seeing your GWTW collection,I would love to see more.Did you read Scarlett the second book?I have to see it I have the first one and read it I watched the movie over and over I love it.I need to get it on cd since my vhs doesn't work anymore.I haven't seen it in forever.So cute about your grandaughter saying fiddle dee dee like a true southerner.LOL Hugs,Jen

Tiffany said...

Oh my, you are an avid collector of Gone With The Wind. -And no your post is not too long. I would love to see more. I felt mine was too long as well, and cut it down a bit, and it is still long. I just got it up, so please come by for a visit. How amazing we have similar stories. My mom, whom has passed now, God rest her soul, told me how she was reading Gone With The Wind before and after she gave birth to me, she was so enthralled with the story. Funny side note I didn't add was that she was so caught up in the book that she wasn't paying attention to the menu when they gave it to her, and she circled all the foods she liked, so they ended up bringing her 3 trays of food after she gave birth. She said she just sat in bed and eating and reading as the nurses were cleaning me up down in the nursery. hee-hee. So, in her honor, I want to read the book before they re-release the movie in November:) What a lovely tribute you have here!

Tardevil said...

You've been holding out on us! You have the best GWTW collection I've ever seen. Love the way it's displayed too. My favorite is the FM wedding plate...it is gorgeous! Wed. is my/our big day. Please say a little prayer for us! LOL!

Nikki via The Scarlett Rose Garden said...

Hey sweetie!! My goodness, such a great collection and beautifully displayed. Rue is right, I AM pea green! I want those polanaise ornies SO bad. They have been on my wish list forever.
And that oval plate, I have never seen those before. It is gorgeous!!!
I starting reading Rhett Butler's People and am enjoying it so far. I haven't gone back to it in quite a while tho, too busy to read lately.
Please do make another gwtw post soon. Thank you so much for attending, I had a wonderful time!
Nikki

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

What a collection. I love the Christmas decorations especially.

Victoria xx

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

What a fantastic GWTW collection you have! I have enjoyed your post. Thanks for stopping by and leaving the sweet comment 8-)
~Myrna

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

What a lovely collection of GWTW items!! I love the movie too!
I do have a question ~ how do you feel about the costuming in the movie?
;) Couldn't resist!
Thanks for sharing! Isn't Nikki a doll? And she's just as pretty and sweet in person too!
~Becca~

Connie said...

I'm back and picked up our mail this morning from the post office and got that darling embroidery you did, honey!!!! I was astounded. I'm putting it where I'll see it every single day. I can't thank you enough and just love you dearly, sugar. You make me cry now because I've "known" you for so long and love Mum so much. I hope she is doing well and you'd BETTER give her a big smooch and hug from her favorite daughter....
xoxo,
Connie

Shirl said...

Hi Steph, Wow what a beautful collection of GWTW that you have.I especially loved the pink plate under the lamp on your white half table. So many pretty things, thanks for sharing!
Bless you, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

roseroomnz.com said...

Oh Ms Stephanie, you have the best collection ever. It has made me feel quite emotional looking at it all. I just adore GWTW - like you have reread the book over and over - mine was printed in 1924, my Granny gave it to me - Rachaelxo

roseroomnz.com said...

I mean 1944 version...lol

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Stefanie!

What a beautiful post! You have so many lovely things to commemorate the movie & book. I have all the Hallmark GWTW ornaments and they are the highlight of my liv rm Christmas tree along with the dollhouse ornaments. I really enjoy unboxing them every year and looking at them closely then placing them in the perfect spot on the tree.

Hugs, Sherry

Unknown said...

Hi Steph!
What an amazing collection you have my dear! My mom too, is a HUGE fan of the movie. She introduced it to my family over and over..the many memories I have! She got to see it first run in the movies though!

Thanks for checking in on me...been wondering where you have been! Love having you sweetie pie!!!


Have a great day! Lorena

Dee Light said...

Wow you have some wonderful things! This was a great post:) Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

STEPH!!! This is was the absolute perfect party for YOU!! You have the best, most beautiful collection of GWTW items!! I just loved seeing everything! Stunning!!
Hugs,
Amy

Bertie said...

Me-O-My Goodness gracious, Steph!! I had no idea you had such an extensive collection! How fabulous!! You need an entire room just for all of these gorgeous treasures.

So nice that Autumn shares your love for them.

Thanks so much for sharing. I am in awe....absolute awe, my friend.

Hugs,
Bertie
Aunt May's Cottage

Lori said...

Frankly my dear I do give a damn!! I love all the collectibles! Oh you are so right, I have to see the movie, the gowns and home, wow! I don't honestly know why I never seen it! Wonderful post, take care my dear one, Love,Lori

The Victorian Parlor said...

Oh my gosh!!! I love GWTW!!! I am so glad that I stopped by to visit! Your collection is amazing. I have a few pieces but nothing like your collection! I can quote almost every line of the movie and I have read the book once. One of my favorite characters is Prissy-I just love her!

Blessings,

Kim

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Stephanie, WOW I have had the best time catching up with your posts. I love your GWTW collectibles. It is the best I have ever seen. You could do a whole magazine on these gorgeous pieces. I love the movie too, but not a collector.
It has been so fun to see everything. It would be hard to pick a favorite. I love how you have it all displayed too.

Simply gorgeous my dear friend.
Love ya, Celestina Marie

Anonymous said...

Good sait, its very interesting//

Anonymous said...

My name is Victoria Stout. I am the proud owner of a Seymour Mann Southern Belle collection doll. It is for sale and it's extremely rare. Scarlett is in the drapery dress and hat and she has beautiful glass green eyes. If anyone is interested my email is victoria.stout@yahoo.com. I have searched every site on the world wide web and this doll cannot be found. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so send me an email. I have pictures available upon request.

Beth said...

Best movie quote ever: Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.