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