June Bride

My friend and cohort in all things Barbie, has a birthday

on June 30th.  She has always wanted a bride doll so

I thought I would make her a bride and groom.

This is Avon's Winter Rhapsody Barbie and Great Date

Ken. I made the the bridal gown, headpiece and bouquet.

The dress came out very nice considering it was my first

time doing beadwork.  It's a simple dress but with the

beading on the bodice and headpiece I think it is

timeless.  I really didn't have the time or skill to make

a tux for the groom, so I found a Ken from the same 

era who already owned a nice but somewhat sparkley

suit.  Oh, and we will not talk about his hair!

All in all she was thrilled and that's what counts.

Happy Birthday, Carol!

Perils of Vintage NRFB

The Malibus that I just deboxed are over 30 years old.

The were all NRFB when I purchased them and after

that much time in a box that was not meant for 3 

decades of storage, they had some issues.

The gold lame' fabric the ladies swimsuits are made 

has become "sticky" in spots, especially the silver on

on PJ.  I'm hoping it doesn't disintegrate when removed.

While all of the rubber bands in the ladies hair are

deteriorating, Skipper's was by far the worse I have

ever seen, they literally melted into her hair.

One even fused to her back.  I am hoping a 'spa day'

will help.  If not new rubber bands and ribbons will

hide it.

A few dolls had very slight discoloration in areas but

the AA Barbie had this:

Almost looks like a spider bite but I don't think they

like vinyl.

I may find more issues when their suits are removed 

but I think these will be the worst.

This is the peril of buying NRFB when you plan on deboxing.  

You pay a good price but when removed the dolls have issues 

sometimes.  But it is my choice to buy NRFB when I can, it's

my preference.

The Sun Gold Malibus

I am not out to collect every Barbie there is. I buy

what I like and due to space am trying to keep

my collection under control.  I am not opposed 

to selling off or giving away a doll if it doesn't suit

me anymore.

But I did want to have one entire series of dolls.  And

I have recently completed my quest.  Meet the Sun Gold

Malibus.....

Deciding which series to collect was kind of easy.  I wanted some dolls from the 80's because I had none and I had gotten the AA Ken last year for my birthday.  When I saw some of the other dolls in the series I had to have them.

Sun Gold Malibu Barbie #1067

This was one of the dolls that sold me on the series.  I think she

is so pretty and so Malibuesque.  This is Bridget.

Sun Gold Malibu Ken #1088

This was is not one of my favorites.  Why is he looking

up?  This is Chadd, with 2 ds, please, so Cali!

Sun Gold Malibu Barbie #7745

This face mold for the AA Barbies is one of my favorites, along

with the Nichelle and Asha.  She has beautiful black/brown 

hair with nice curls.  This is Gloria.

Sun Gold Malibu Ken #3849

This poor guy's head seems a little too small for his

body or maybe it's that his face and body are 2 

different shades?  But I like his face.  This is Gerard.

Sun Gold Malibu Barbie #4970

Even though the same face mold is used on the

AA, I think with the slight skin tone variation, lip color

and hair, she looks different enough from the AA to 

be considered Hispanic.  She has beautiful wavey

brown/black hair.  This is Luisa.

Sun Gold Malibu Ken #4971

The dark haired Hispanic version of Ken is by far the

rarest in this series and the hardest to find.  When I

started looking I was afraid I would have to do without

him as the pricing ranged from $75 out of box to $150

in box.  I just wasn't going to pay that much.  But 

I lucked out and found one, in the box, $28.00 with

shipping........he was mine and the last one I needed.  

I think he is quite handsome.  This is Eron (the accent 

mark ' goes over the o).

Sun Gold Malibu PJ #1187

I don't think she is as cute as the 70's Malibu PJ, but

she is a pretty doll.  I am puzzled as to why she is

always a third wheel, couldn't they give a man of her

own?  Well, maybe she doesn't need one!  This is

Marci.

Sun Gold Malibu Skipper #1069

This was the other doll that sold me on this series.  Since

I wanted 80's dolls not all series had a Skipper and the

ones that did......well, I just thought the Skippers were ugly.

I think she is cute, but kind of sad.  She lives in Malibu 

and is going to the beach for pete's sake, smile!  Of

course, maybe it's because she has no one but adults to

play with in Malibu.......?   This is Jenny Lee.

So, there they are.....eight little Sun Gold Malibus.

Best Buy Fashion # 2553

I found this 1975 Best Buy jumpsuit on eBay, still in package,

for a very reasonable price.

Sharla could not wait to try it on.  The neckline is a 

little revealing but it looks great on her.

Partying with Nikki and Bo Lin

I saved the last 2 Sparkle Girl dresses for Nikki and Bo Lin.

These 2 dresses were made for partying!  The girls look so

nice in them.

Nikki dress is a little short but they are just so pretty.  I am

kind of impressed with new designs.  Of the 6 new outfits I 

picked up Eden's and Bo Lin's are my favorite but I like them

all.

Sparkle Girl Outfits for Everyone

I found several new Sparkle Girl outfits at a neighboring

Walmart.  I live in a tourist town and our Walmart is

geared toward that, and sometimes lags behind in

in the toy department.  So when I am "across the 

bay" in a neighboring town I always stop in to check out 

the toys.  I only chose 6 new outfits to go home with 

me but there were several more.

I am always on the look out for ones that will fit

Mary Elizabeth and Daria.  These 2 dresses are so cute

on them!  I especially love the green and white one

on Daria, so preppy.

This dress was made for Eden, very Bohemian with the floral
ruffled print and the little faux suede belt.  And the little jacket
vest to top it off......too cute!

Regan insisted on wear this little....and I mean little number, as
she thinks it shows off her highlights.  It is cute and perfect
for a hot summer day.

I think I am going to have to go back and get the rest of the
new outfits, they are really cute.

Jodi and Wendy

We haven't seen Jodi (r) and Wendy (l) in some time.  I

thought they would be the perfect models for these

outfits.

I purchased both of these handmade outfits back in the

early 90's in a little shop in Shipsheewana, Indiana.

Jodi looks lovely in the wrap evening dress.  I love the huge

shawl collar.

Wendy relaxes in this gorgeous tunic with leggings.  The legging

fabric is a little thick though and she can not get any shoes on!

Both outfits are nicely made.

The Model Muses Raid the BB Barbies Closet.....again

Roxanne wanted to get in on the fun after seeing 

Natalya and Taryn in the BB Barbies clothes.  Plus I

think she wanted to show up Charmayne.  This

little silver dress fits her nicely. 

Natalya is stunning in this simple little sheath.

Taryn shows a little hard rockin's side in this cute mullet dress.

All the Model Muses got together for a group photo.  These are some beautiful ladies!

New Model Muse in the House: Barbie Look - City Shine

I forgot that I had picked this doll up on sale at 

Walmart a few months ago.  

While I think she is a knockout, I bought her for the

dress.  It's hot!  

Meet Charmayne Scott.  I think she is going to 

give Roxanne Benevento some competition.

Free and PJ

Free and PJ are enjoying the summer breeze in these

cute sundresses.  They are made by me from a 70's

vintage pattern that wasn't vintage when I bought it

back in the 70's.

I am looking forward to making more bohemian style

outfits for these two girls.

Malibu Barbie # 1067. 1971-1973

Over the Memorial Day weekend we stopped in at one of 

our favorite indoor flea markets and I scored this vintage

Malibu Barbie for $6.78!!!!!! She was marked $8 but they

were having a sale.

She is near perfect, just some light scuff marks on her body.

I have been looking for one on eBay and am so glad I waited.

It's okay that she doesn't have her swimsuit.....I hardly ever 

put my dolls in their original outfits.

The dress, I am told, is a Sindy dress.  It's very well made and

in good condition.  The boots are Mattel.

She is such a hippie, and will be known as Free.  She will be

great friends with Malibu PJ!