Wow

Where did this year go? I've had so much going on, not all pleasant, that I'm way behind in posting doll pictures.

Here's what I've added to the collection and will photograph soon: Uneeda Bob and Vogue Jeff, Vogue Jan, Effanbee Patsy and Patsy, Jr., Armand Marseille #1899, 2 French Reproduction Bleuettes, 2 unknown (but very cute) composition dolls, a Muffy, an unknown 14" hard plastic doll from the 1950's and one last Revlon with jointed arms(I think that will complete my Revlon collection). I also added a few of the Barbie Basics dressed in little black dresses and accessories.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Shirley & Friends

May your troubles be less and your

blessings be more and nothing but

happiness come through your door.

Irish Blessing

Vita Tosca Diva by Horsman

Here is the lovely Vita Tosca Diva. She is a ball-jointed doll and likes to pose. I did find her very hard to dress. The little tights were tight (elastic at the waist would have helped). The sleeves of the long coat were also difficult. I'm not too impressed with her hair, it seems thin. She is very light in weight. All of the joints work very well and hold a pose. Her hip joints did make a noise when moved. She is not nearly as nice as the Goodreau doll, not quite as expensive either.

Happy Valentine's Day from Ginny

We hope you have a wonderful Valentine's day filled with chocolates and flowers and whatever your heart desires.

One More Miss Revlon

This is a 20" Miss Revlon in a lovely butterfly print dress sewn by "Sugar". The shoes are reproductions made by "Elfcrafters". Doesn't she look ready for a spring party?

Revlon Hair Colors

Just for fun I'm posting this picture of a few different hair color variations of the Revlons. There are more than this including platinum blonde and very dark brunette. My brunette is posted earlier on the blog.

Revlon Wearing Cherries a la Mode Dress

This is a 20" Revlon doll wearing a tagged original Cherries a la Mode dress with an original slip. The dress is navy with red cherries. The shoes are reproductions of original shoes worn with this dress. The slip is red. Her hair is auburn (red). Her bangs look a little short and may have been cut.

A Painted Revlon Doll

This is an example of a Revlon doll with painted arms. There are rubs on the arms where the original pinkish vinyl shows through. Not all Revlons were painted (thank goodness!). This Revlon is 18" tall and is wearing an original dress (see pg. 53 of Kathy Barna's book, Revlon Dolls and Their Look-Alikes).

Revlon Doll Wearing Kissing Pink

This is an 18" Revlon doll wearing the navy blue nylon version of Kissing Pink. Kissing Pink came in a variety of materials and colors. The name "Kissing Pink" comes from the line of Revlon cosmetics with that name. This doll has a new black replacement slip on beneath the dress. Her shoes are vintage, but not original. Don't you just love her hair!!

The Revlon Walker

This is an 18" Revlon Walker. Please note the little round circle just below her waist on each side. That's the walking mechanism. These dolls are very hard to find. This one still walks when you hold her little hand. Check to make sure that any Revlon being sold as a walker has both these little circles.

Ann Estelle

I have always loved Mary Englebreit things and this doll is just too cute. At the last doll show this little 10 inch Ann Estelle was for sale, along with her original outfit.

Another dolly rescued!

This sweet baby is a Madame Alexander from 1965. I'm sorry but I do not know who she is, but thought she was very sweet. I think all of her clothing is original, including the binkie.

Uneeda Suzette models a bridal gown

A dear friend made this bridal gown from a vintage Simplicity Pattern for Little Miss Revlon dolls. I think the dress is fabulous and it is beautifully sewn. I think Suzette makes a stunning bride.

Two Little Miss Revlons

The Little Miss Revlon in the gold dress was my very first. The lady who sold her to me said the dress is an original Coty Girl dress. Recently I saw a Revlon wearing the same dress in silver and thought it was a "must have". Don't they look sweet together? Note the high-color cheeks on the doll on the left. Don't forget to click the pics.

Another Miss Revlon Original

This is a high-color Little Miss Revlon in #9115, pink polka dot dress. She is the doll that came with additional dresses. All of her dresses are in excellent condition.

Little Miss Revlon gets an original dress

This Little Miss Revlon is wearing #9056, Windmill print dress in blue. I recently purchased this dress with another Revlon doll that had additional dresses with it. This dress is pristine. I don't believe it was ever worn. It has never been washed, there is no fading and the material retains its original crispness. This Revlon came with blue earrings that match the dress. She is wearing vintage shoes.

Penny Brite

Don't ask me why, but I thought I needed a couple of Penny Brites. They have been living in the computer room with me, but I thought they might look cute with the dollhouse in the living room. I have kept the dollhouse turned this way so that little hands could not get to the Renwal collection.

New Outfits

The living room dolls got some new clothes for the new year. The Daisy Kingdom doll has a new yellow sweatsuit. Saucy Walker got a new skating dress and skates. The Zapf doll got some ski pants and a new jacket and turtleneck.

A Goodreau Doll

This is a Goodreau Doll that was made for a doll convention in August 2009 (I think). She is a puppeteer. I am posting several pictures to show how posable she is. She is a ball-jointed doll, her wrists, ankles, knees, elbows, shoulders, hips, have movable joints. Her gorgeous hair is a wig and can be replaced.

A Gaggle of Shirleys

Beginning from the left, a 1970's 16" Shirley, a 15" all original Shirley, a 17" flirty-eye Shirley in a repro Heidi dress, a 12" Shirley in an original dress, the 19" flirty-eye Shirley, the 15" Shirley and a 17" non-flirty Shirley. I'm getting pretty good at making "sausage" curls too. If you click on the pics they should enlarge.

Two Shirleys

The little Shirley Temple is a 15" vinyl doll, also from the 1950's. She was a "rescue" doll from a local antique store.

Newest Shirley Temple

This is a 19" vinyl Shirley Temple from the 1950's. She has flirty eyes, too. She has been helping me in the computer room.

A New Year and a Resolution

I promise to post more dolls during 2010. The collection, which took a brief rest during the remodel, has begun to grow again. Several Revlons, including a rare Revlon walker, have been added to the collection. Revlons in original dresses also have been acquired. A dear friend has sewn a reproduction bridal gown for Little Miss Revlon (although Uneeda Suzette is currently modeling it). It is lovely. A couple vintage Shirley Temples have been added and two Penny Brites.
In the modern doll category, we have been fascinated by the BJD (ball jointed dolls). A lovely Goodreau doll created for a doll show convention has joined the collection and four Barbie Fashionistas line the shelves of the computer room. We are looking at adding Horsman's Urban Vita and perhaps Senson's Mistletoe (21 points of articulation). The Urban Vitas for 2010 sound very interesting with additional face plates and extra eyes and wigs, sort of build-it-yourself dolls.
Some new clothes have been ordered. A cute ice skating outfit with skates is coming for Saucy Walker. Shirley Temple will be getting some ruffle socks.

Remember if you buy dolls on-line (or in person) be sure the doll comes from a smoke-free environment. Even though the seller said "no odors", Shirley Temple arrived smelling like she had a 3 pack a day habit. The smoke smell is very difficult to remove from vinyl dolls. It is almost like it absorbs into the vinyl. After soaking and washing all her clothing, the smell still clings to them. I currently have her wrapped in fabric softener sheets to absorb the smell. She definitely will not be going into the doll cabinet anytime soon.