It Was A Barbie Christmas

Okay, and one Ken.  I got everything a girl could ask for and then some.  Here's the haul...um, I mean gifts I received from The Husband:

I prefer the Hallmark Barbie ornaments to the American Greetings.  I just think their face sculpts are better.  This one is unique to me as her skirt is actual fabric.

I love this Barbie and Ken case.  It is in fantastic condition and the bright red will look great with all my other cases.  Ken will now have someplace to store his meager wardrobe.  I love Barbie books and while this one does not have pictures of every doll in a line, it is still a good reference guide with item # and years.

A new Fashion Avenue outfit for my collection and an accessory pack.  The pack is from my neighbor who gave me the doll in the previous post.  Love those boots!

I didn't even know that the Classique line had some individual outfits until I came across this one on Amazon.  I think I will have to put the others on my birthday wish list!

What's Christmas without a new doll or two!  I think the Sun Gold Malibu Barbie is so pretty!  I have the AA Barbie and Ken and want to get all the rest in line.  I wanted this Ken because he looked soooo Miami Vice, especially with the color change hair.  He will charm my 80's and 90's ladies.

Read em' and weep ladies....6 count em', SIX bridal gowns!  There is a bridal salon diorama in my future.

The Husband picked out this gift all by himself and it is my favorite of everything.  Three oil on canvas designs by Robert Best. I don't think they are originals or even signed prints, but I love them.  I have the perfect spot in my sewing room/doll room/office.

Handmade: Christmas Present

My friend and neighbor, Carol, made this beautiful knit poncho and gave me this wonderful doll. These types of presents are the best as they come from the heart!

It was an all Barbie Christmas (ok 1 Ken, too) this year and I will share the rest of my goodies in the next post.

Hope your Christmas was merry!

Vintage Handmade: Christmas Past 50 Years Ago

Barbara

Yes, you read that right, I got this gown and stole for Christmas 50 years ago.

It was made by my aunt (and Godmother) Virgie P.  She is a excellent seamstress who made gorgeous wedding and bridesmaid gowns back in the day.  I can't tell you how excited I was when I opened this present.......I can still picture it in the box with all the tissue paper!

It's a little faded, a little stained and a little wrinkled but I am so, so glad that I was able to hang on to it all these years.

Vintage Handmade: Owner Original

Deboxing Day: 25th Anniversary Holiday Barbie - Asst # 55908 # X8272and 2002 Holiday Celebration #56209

I never liked the older Holiday Barbies, they were just so frou frouy.  But I came across some more recent Holiday Barbies that I like and this is one of them.  Meet Alyissa.

Although I am determined to debox all my dolls and enjoy them, I still hesitate before breaking the box seal.  I was able to keep this box intact for storing the doll later, which is a bonus.

She is very beautiful, with a model body I think.  But there were some disappointments about her.  First off her hair.  This girl is gonna need a wash and set.........yuck.  Her hair felt greasy and when I attempted to brush it it got all frizzy at the ends.

The dress, while gorgeous had this under it instead of tulle to give it fullness.

Really Mattel?  A hunk of cardboard?  How much more would a little tulle have cost?  No wonder their market share is falling.  I think I will make her something for next year.

Here is the other Holiday Barbie I liked. Meet Merrina.

I am a sucker for the Mackie face and I think she is gorgeous.  Unlike the other doll her hair was soft and touchable, and I love the high ponytail. Her gown was nice (tulle underneath instead of cardboard).  The glitter from her shawl collar does get everywhere though.

She came in one of those odd shaped boxes with hard plastic inserts on top and bottom.  It was a pain in the shorts to get her out and off the liner.  I could not save the liner but the box is intact for future storage at least.

I love both these dolls and am happy to have them in my collection.  But I don't think they are worth the extra price they charge for these Holiday dolls.  I'm pretty sure I can make gowns as beautiful as these.  So I don't think there will be anymore from this line in my future.

Modern: Owner Original

Deboxing Day: Poinsettia Jenny 2001 - Asst # 55908 # 55646

Boy oh boy,  I've deboxing a lot of dolls lately!  I never really cared for Barbie's sisters aside from Skipper but when I saw some of the Kelly Club dolls.....well, you know how that goes.  I didn't really want to get into collecting a lot of them so when I saw this little cutie I knew she was the one.  Meet Jenny.

This little green eyed redhead is just irrestible.  And gosh she just happens to be a Christmas poinsettia and an ornament.  Too cute.

Modern: Owner Original

Theater Date 1963 #959

Vivian looks stunning for an evening out to see the 'Nutcracker' this holiday season.

Vintage: Repurchased

Brenda, Vivian and Barbie

Silken Flame 1960-65 #977/Red Flare 1962-65 #939

As I mentioned in the previous post, I longed for these two outfits as a kid. But with 5 other siblings and a limited family budget I didn't always get what I wanted.  It was okay, I understood, that's life. So when I had the means later in life I bought them for myself........at a much heftier price, but what the hey, it's only money.

Both outfits are complete (I do have the gold purse for Silken Flame).  While they did a good job on the reproduction outfit you can tell the difference in the fabric and workmanship.

Brenda and Barbie

The satin on the vintage  has a better hand, more drape than the repro.  The red velveteen is very close in quality.  The repro is a little stiff but it is new and less handled, so that could account for it.  The workmanship really tells the story.  The dress hem on the vintage is hand sewn, on the repro it looks like it is glued down.  The coat lining hem is loose on the vintage and sewn down on the repro.  The gold belt is different on each but about the same quality.  All in all a pretty good copy......except you only got the purse for red flare, I think they should have thrown in a gold purse too.

Deboxing Day: Silken Flame Reproduction Barbie 1997 #18448

Although called Silken Flame, this is a reproduction of 2 classic Barbie outfits, Silken Flame and Red Flair.  This outfit shouts 'Christmas' to me and I've decided this is the perfect time to free Brenda from her boxy prison.

I always wanted this outfit as a kid, I thought then (and still do)that it was gorgeous.  I picked up a vintage set quite a few years ago.  We will see them side by side later.

Reproduction: Owner original

Meet the Dolls: Two Skippers and a Scooter

 Scooter, Cindy (blonde) and Sally (brunette) are getting ready for Christmas.  All outfits are made by me.  Cindy and Sally's outfits are both 3 piece ensembles each with matching pants.

Vintage dolls: Repurchased

Handmade outfits: Owner

Deboxing Day: Tree Trimming Barbie 1998. #22967

I don't know why but for some reason I like the seasonal playline dolls.  I especially like the ones that have ugly Christmas sweaters.  I got this one in a lot of boxed dolls that I got on Ebay. She is the only one that I have at the moment.  I have been waiting months for the right time to debox her and that time is now.

Meet Holly. I like her simple shoulder length hair and bangs, but love the sweater and velveteen pants.  She is all set for the tree trimming party.

Modern: Owner Original

Meet the Dolls: 67'-69' - Standard Barbie

This is, Jodi, one of my 3 Standard Barbies.  I really think the mod style Barbie is my favorite.

She is wearing my handmade version of 'Pajama Powow'.  It did not come out as well as I had hoped. I think it needs more waist definition with darts and belt. Maybe the fabric is wrong too, I'll have to try another.

Vintage: Repurchased

First Party

Mary Elizabeth has been asked to her first boy-girl party.  She wants to know what you think of this, yes Sparkle Girl, dress.  It's a little big in the bust for her but the colors go with her hair streak and shoes.  And since these are the ONLY pair of shoes she has (I'm lookin' at you Mattel) she needs to pick her wardrobe carefully.  All in all I think she will turn a few boys heads and break a few hearts.

As a side note, this is why dolls should not be left in any one outfit for too long.....see that spot, poor Mary Elizabeth has never had her leggings removed.  It appears that something put pressure on one spot and the dye from her leggings bled through to her leg.  It's okay, now she has a birthmark.

Modern:owner Original

Meet the Dolls: More Fashionistas

This is Ryan and .......I don't know if she was a Barbie or Raquelle, but I don't know how she could be either since she looks distinctly Asian to me, so now she is Bo Lin.  Yea, I know it sounds like bowling, but it just kinda stuck.  I was looking for a Chinese or Japanese name and came across 2 and kind of put them together (my apologies to the Chinese if I am using the names incorrectly). Bo means 'precious' and Lin means 'beautiful jade',  I thought that it was pretty and it stuck. (Can't be any worse than Fan Bing Bing!)

Anywhooo, I think she is quite beautiful but he's kind of a stick in the mud, has that walking dead look.   (I really need to get some better guys.)

I love her dress, how cool is that, that she has a removable breast plate.....and a sparkly one to boot!

Modern: Owner Original

Handmade Fall Ensemble

Jeanelle is showing off her new handmade fall ensemble that she will be wearing for her trip home for Thanksgiving.  All 3 pieces are made using vintage 60's patterns.  The ensemble consists of a fully lined swing coat, dirndl skirted sleeveless dress and slim dress with 3/4 sleeves.

Her friend, Barbara has shown up to help model, she likes this dress as she thinks it shows off her figure better.  The slim dress looks like a potato sack here but in reality is quite nice, very sophisticated. 

Barbara really likes this combination.  She may "accidently" walk off with it.

I love the clothes of the 50's and 60's, they were so stylish.  I like ensembles like this that help extend your wardrobe.  Mind you I am a fashion disaster.  I wear jeans to work everyday, it's what I'm comfortable in in more ways than one.  THIS is why I love my Barbies.....so I can dress them up in beautiful clothes, or comfy clothes or trendy clothes.  I get my fashion fun through them.......and when you consider the price of good clothing, shoes and accessories these days.....it's a lot cheaper, well....maybe.

Handmade: Owner

Meet the Doll: 1995 Phone Fun Skipper # 14313

This little cutie is Phone Fun Skipper aka Daria.  She came with her own little phone and a larger one that was actually a notepad.  She has beautiful black wavey hair but she sheds it like a dog.

Here she is in yet another Sparkle Girl outfit (yes, I kinda went overboard with them).  Doesn't she look adorable?

Post Vintage: Owner Original

Meet the Dolls: Hula Sisters Skipper and Chelsea # X3215

I needed a modern Skipper to go with my other modern dolls so I chose this set because I thought Skipper was cute and she is articulated.  Chelsea, while cute, has been relegated to the extra doll bin.

Skipper is now Mary Elizabeth......sweet but that pink streak in her hair shows she has a little wild side in her maybe?

Here she is sporting one of the Sparkle Girl outfits.  Her torso is a little long for it but all in all not a bad fit and since Mattel doesn't care about clothing her, she has to get her duds where she can!

Modern: Owner Original

She Shops, She Scores

I scored some Fashion Avenue outfits on eBay for a decent price. I haven't had time to open them but I know my ladies are looking forward to modeling them for you.


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Deboxing Day: Potty Trainin' Taffy - AA BHY32/BDH75

Okay, who doesn't need a toy dog that poops? The Husband has been quite fascinated with this playline set and kept wanting me to get it. But I thought it was a bit pricey and really didn't want another blonde BB Barbie so kept passing it up.

I have been looking to add Nikki to my collection and this set came on sale on the Mattel site for $15 plus with a few other dolls I got free shipping so it was win-win.





The pooping dog is pretty funny. When I first tried it the poops shot out and rolled every which way. You see that hole in his backpack.....that's where you load the poop pellets only they don't all fit so they kinda sit on top until he poops them out.

This is really the first pack like this I have bought. I usually just buy dolls alone. But I kinda like getting the little accessories, the dog is cute and I think Nikki is adorable. (By the way, I know it says Barbie on the packaging and not Nikki.......but that's Nikki).

Modern: Owner original

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Meet the Dolls: Hangin' with The Fashionistas

I prefer to collect the older body style Barbies, but I am a collector after all and do like to have a representation of all styles in my collection. So I have about a dozen of the newer BB "belly button" Barbies ( and a few Model muse). I think the BB Barbie line really look more like the teenagers they are suppose to be, where as the old style Barbies always looked more like adults, more sophisticated.

The clothes offered for these dolls are unremarkable, nothing compared to the older lines. Except for the shoes........these dolls have some rockin' shoes. It would be great if they would come out with some named ensembles for them ala' Fashion Avenue. But as it is the clothes are cheap and all look alike.

I've made a couple of outfits but am still working on getting the fit right. In the meantime I make due with what's out there and I like everyone else on the planet have discovered the 'Sparkle Girl' outfits at Walmart for $1.97.





Meet Alexa, Eden and Quinn. Alexa and Quinn are twins but each have their own style. Eden is a free spirit, kind of a new age flower child. These are my favorite 'Sparkle Girl' outfits and fit these dolls the best.




Meet Kimberly, Kaelyn and Regan. Kimberly and Kaelyn are also twins, Regan is their best friend. These 3 girls love to hang out and swap clothes. These 'Sparkle Girl' outfits are cute but don't fit these dolls quite as well, being a little snug.

Modern: Owner Originals


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