Tag Archives: Disney Collectibles

Disney at Home: An Adorable Dalmatian Teapot

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Teapot 2We have Disney dinnerware with Mickey on it and a Ratatouille wine print on our kitchen wall.  I’ve got that Haunted Mansion bottle-stopper and a spiffy Disney cookie jar.  Know what else you can find in my kitchen?  An adorable Dalmatian teapot.

To be honest, I can’t remember exactly where I bought it, but I can tell you the happy circumstances under which I discovered my little spotted treasure.  Raymond’s family, until very recently, had a traditional annual get-together – a trip + family reunion that allowed everyone (parents, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, children, grandchildren, you get the idea) to meet up at a different location every summer and enjoy a long weekend of family togetherness while exploring new destinations.  Over the years we’ve been to places as far away as Disney World, San Antonio, and Fredricksburg, Texas – we’ve also traveled not so far, to off the beaten path places like Broken Bow Lake (Oklahoma), Gaston’s White River Resort (Lakeview, Arkansas), Branson (Missouri) and once, some funky little cabinsTeapot 4 in Breaux Bridge (Louisiana).  Some of these locations offered exceptional antique shopping!  The Fam is always game for that.

It was in a small-town antique store – I may not remember which town (I suspect it was Eureka Springs, Arkansas) , but I can picture the store perfectly.  On the far right side of the shop, in the very back, on a crowded lower shelf, I spotted Roly, the Dalmatian teapot, among an eclectic group of kitchen oddities.  He’s rather small (about 8″ tall) and in perfect condition – as soon as I saw him, I knew he’d be coming home with me.  Usually, I just go along for the entertainment of watching Joseph and Raymond find amazing items – some Disney collectibles, some in need of a little TLC, some quirky (like a rather scary looking antique metal dentist’s chair Joseph bought once on a whim).  For once, I was not leaving empty handed!

Teapot 3Roly was Made in the U. S. A. by Treasure Craft, a pottery company founded in California in 1945 and later purchased by Pfalzgraff.  Treasure Craft made a number of Disney-themed items ranging from teapots to cookie jars, salt and pepper shakers, and cups and saucers.  I know Roly’s not very old, but he’s precious and adorable and he cost me $12 – which is an excellent price to pay for a happy memory AND a Disney collectible perfect just for me.

What’s the best Disney treasure you’ve ever found?

Disney’s Haunted Mansion – Bringing a Little Bit Home

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DWR2009 078Haunted Mansion!  That most perfect example of Disney magic at its best.  Back in October, I highlighted all we love about the Haunted Mansion for a Halloween post.  For Christmas, we brought a little Haunted Mansion to our own humble abode.  No, a ghost didn’t follow us home, but almost just as good!

Megan and I had certainly been thinking alike back in December (although we wouldn’t find that out until Christmas morning)!  Last fall, the Disney Store had some great Haunted Mansion items in their home-goods section – oddly enough, I didn’t see what Megan bought for me when I was shopping and she didn’t see what I bought her.  You might recall (if you saw my Disney Christmas gifts post) that I received a nifty Haunted Mansion wine bottle stopper – perfect for me since my love for both wine and the Haunted Mansion are well-known to The Fam.IMG_2439

I bought Megan a set of coasters for her apartment.  Sounds boring, doesn’t it?  These are no ordinary coasters though – they’re tombstones from the Haunted Mansion’s graveyard!  They even come in an adorable coffin-shaped box that says “Tomb Sweet Tomb” on the top!  Go ahead, admit it….right now you’re wishing your mom had given you an awesome gift like that, too.

Sadly, my original purchase arrived broken.  This was strange to me – I ordered a mug for Raymond, three ornaments (Sally, Steampunk Earhat, and Mulan) and the coasters – the box arrived with virtually no packing material in it – all the items were just rattling around in there.  There was also no receipt or order confirmation document of any kind.  The ornaments and mug were wrapped securely, but the coasters were just in their unprotected box and each one was shattered (they’re ceramic or some such). 

Tomb Sweet TombOn December 20th I emailed the Disney Store per the website’s “contact us” instructions and explained my plight – then promptly got swept up in the holiday madness and forgot all about it.  Christmas morning arrived – and this is, again, strange.  Megan gave me a Disney cookie jar…turns out it was the second one she’d ordered because the first one came in broken.  Note:  She wanted that cookie jar in time for Christmas, so when the broken one arrived she immediately called the Disney Store and they shipped a replacement one right out.  That’s when I remembered the coasters and told her that while I hadn’t heard back yet, I was sure my email was being processed and replacements would be on their way soon.

Fast forward to last Monday.  Megan came over to do some laundry and watch a couple movies with me (yes, Disney movies) and said, “I guess I’m never getting those coasters, amCoasters I.”  Yikes!  I’d forgotten all about them.  I called the Disney Store and explained the situation – that I had emailed and received no reply (I offered to forward a copy of the email if necessary) – The lady on the phone – who’s every sentence was liberally sprinkled with terms like “magical” and “pixie dust” and even a reference to “Fairy Godmother” (I kid you not) – said she would send replacement coasters out posthaste with no further action on my part necessary.  Sure enough, three days later I had a box from the Disney Store on my doorstep.  New coasters safe and sound.  Aren’t they CUTE?

Moral of the story – do NOT email the Disney Store if there’s a problem with your order – give them a call.  They’ll be magically helpful and certain to offer whatever pixie-dusted assistance is necessary (even enlisting Fairy Godmother’s aid, if required) to ensure your happily-ever-after satisfaction.

New ShoesSo, last Saturday Raymond and I went to a big shoe sale at our local running store.  I was able to score a much-needed new pair of Nikes for 40% off!  Not my usual color-choice, these beauties are gray, purple, and neon green (hello?  ON SALE!) – They’re growing on me though – I’m calling them my Haunted Mansion shoes.

Disney Vintage Vinyl – Cinderella

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IMG_2518Dipping once again into Joseph’s vast collection of Disneyana, today I’ve chosen another album.  This delightful treasure from 1959 is the “Music from the Original Motion Picture Sound Track” for Walt Disney’s Cinderella.  “Featuring members of the original cast including Ilene Woods, Don Barclay, and Verna Felton.  Songs by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston.  Background music by Oliver Wallace and Paul J. Smith”.

Nine songs make up this LP – including my two favorite Cinderella songs:  “The Work Song”  (Jaq and Gus and the Mice) and “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” sung by Verna Felton as Fairy God Mother.

Let’s talk about Verna Felton (July 20, 1890 – December 14, 1966 – yes – that is one day before the date Walt Disney passed away) for a minute.  Mrs. Felton enjoyed a long career (began performing publically at age 10) – first on stage and radio- before moving on to film.  She was well known (and in demand) for her distinctive voice and no-nonsense attitude.

IMG_2519You may have known this already, but I was surprised to find out just how many other Disney roles that Verna Felton also voiced beside Fairy Godmother in 1951:  Dumbo – 1941 (Elephant Matriarch),  Alice in Wonderland – 1951 (Voice of Queen of Hearts.  Sings “Who’s Been Painting My Roses Red”),  Lady and the Tramp – 1955 (Voice of Aunt Sarah.  Sings “Rock-a-Bye Baby”), Sleeping Beauty -1959 (voices of Flora and Queen Leah), and The Jungle Book – released after Mrs. Felton passed away, 1967 (Winifred the Elephant, sings “Colonel Hathi’s March”).

Okay – back to the record.  From the album cover’s reverse side:  “…Walt Disney has brought to life the beautiful Cinderella, her wicked step-mother and sisters plus that very funny and forgetful Good Fairy.  It is with the Good Fairy’s magical words “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo”, plus the talented brushes of the Disney artists, that we are able to travel at last into the dream world of Cinderella…”

Song List (Side One, songs 1-5 / Side Two, songs 6-9):

  1. Cinderella
  2. A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Ilene Woods)
  3. Oh Sing Sweet Nightingale (Ilene Woods)
  4. The Work Song (Jaq and Gus)
  5. A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes (Mouse Chorus)
  6. Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (Verna Felton)
  7. Cinderella Arrives at the Ball (Orchestra)
  8. So This is Love (Ilene Woods)
  9. Finale (Orchestra and Chorus)

If you just have to have a copy of your very own – try eBay and Etsy.  Prices range from $5-$17.

 

Do You Have a Disney Lucky Charm?

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IMG_2100Do you have a Disney Lucky Charm?  Whether you’re superstitious or not – I cannot be the only person who has woven a love for Disney into everyday life by occasionally (or everyday) carrying around a “lucky” Disney talisman or favorite Disney item of some sort.

Maybe a pressed penny from the Magic Kingdom has found its way into your pocket.  Perhaps a certain Donald Duck sweatshirt seems to help your team win when you wear it.  Maybe you’ve adorned your ride with a Nemo antenna topper or a Tinker Bell window decal.  Are you keeping time with a Mickey Mouse watch?  Could be you even have a candle that smells just like the Karamelle-Kuch!  Cup o’ morning java in a Goofy mug?  Personally, I’ve been known to tuck a particularly favored Disney pin under the lapel of my suit before making an IMG_2512important presentation at work.

Even though, to the non-Disney people around us, they might seem like common souvenirs – silly even.  These objects are powerful symbols to us!  They represent all the happiness and magic – the wonderful moments we’ve experienced on a Disney vacation.  Perfect memories waiting for us to revisit anytime we like.  For me, they also act as motivation…day-to-day life throws an unexpected challenge?  I can make it!  I’ve been ridiculously happy and I will be again!  I’m going to Disney World!  Why do we have countdown clocks and calendars we start using hundreds of days in advance of our next Disney vacation?

IMG_2511In case of emergency, break plastic.  I have a Donald Duck Pez Dispenser.  Even though I got it as a Fish Extender gift 2-and-a-half years ago, it’s still in the wrapper.  I carry it in my lunch bag everyday, but I hope I never have to open it.  I’m saving it for an emergency.   What kind of emergency?  The kind of dire – I’m-a-woman-on-the-edge – sort of moment.  You know – stressed, tired, sad, frustrated, and angry all at the same time – you’re at your wit’s end and feel like the world will never be right again.  That’s the moment I’m waiting for!  So far, so good – but if you ever see me flipping back Donald’s head and taking a bite of candy – turn around and RUN!

What are your most meaningful Disney objects?  I’d love to see pictures and have the stories and memories that go along with them.  Please share and I’ll post your special Disney lucky charm right here at Living a Disney Life.