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.

Happy Golden Birthday BARBIE!!

When Barbie came out in 1959, my next-door neighbor, Colleen, got one. I still remember Barbie and her little black and white swimsuit that was just like one my mother wore. I was, according to my parents, too old to have a Barbie, but I sure enjoyed the one Colleen had. She had lots of clothes for her, too. We spent many hours playing with Barbie that summer before I entered junior high.

I've owned a number of newer Barbies, but have passed most of them on to one of my nieces who loves Barbie. Some of my Barbies I have donated to a lady who makes trips to Guatemala and gives them out to the young girls who live at the dumps as an incentive to get them to see the visiting doctors. The girls love the Barbies and other donated toys she brings. She makes a trip every November.

So to you dear BARBIE, who has filled many a childhood hour with fun, frivolity, and fashion, HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY.