Making Dianna Effner's Little Darling #3 "Little Colonel" From MDCC

13 “ Little Darling Little Colonel by painted by Dianna Effner The doll was one of 10 centerpiece dolls created by Dianna Effner and other members of the Doll Dreamers Guild for a meal event at the Modern Doll Collectors Convention in Louisville KY in September. Her exquisite silk gown and bonnet, as well as her under apparel were the work of Nelly Valentino and Maritza Moran. The gown is embellished with hand made silk flowers made by members of the DDG. The bonnet was decorated by Nelly Valentino with silk ribbon, handmade flowers and soft ostrich feathers. Under her dress she wears a lace trimmed, 4 tiered hoop skirt, silky tights and cotton batiste pantaloons embellished with french heirloom lace ruffles and tucks. Her shoes were designed and hand made by Dianna Effner of soft black leather. The dress and character were inspired by the movie, The Little Colonel, which stars Shirley Temple. The story takes place in old Kentucky following the civil war. According to the story the dress had belonged to the departed grandmother of the character little Lloyd Sherman, The Little Colonel. In one memorable scene Miss Temple wears the dress and talks with her grandfather played by Lionel Barrymore. Eight of the ten centerpieces were purchased by attendees of the meal event at the convention.