The Day after Christmas introducing SunSet Malibu Christie # 7745

I hope everyone enjoyed there Christmas or Weds., December 25th (if you do not celebrate).  I enjoyed my day with The Husband and our dog, Louie.

The Husband is a great shopper and got me everything I asked for this year.  I will give you  the doll related highlights!

As the blog title indicates, tops on my list this year was a Malibu Christie.

I found this nearly mint out of box Malibu Christie on ebay and put it on my wish list.  Was so glad The Husband was able to get her for me.  She will need a wipe down but is perfect!

This doll was produced from 1973-1977.  The first issue wore an orange bathing suit so I am thinking about 1974 on this doll.

She has black painted sideburns which not all the dolls had.

As you can see she is still sporting her sunglasses, they are still factory attached to her head!  She will be a welcome friend for my Malibu Barbie, PJ, Francie and Skipper dolls.

I got 2 vintage Francie and 2 vintage Skipper outfits also.  I will detail them later in their own blog posts.

Play food, a doll can't have too much play food!

I like to keep a well stocked pantry, you never know what these dolls will want for supper.  I had to laugh though at the 3 center cans - fishes, baked beans and sausages!  I don't want to be around when Barbie makes that meal!

Fruits, veggies and soda!  I will need to get out the colored Sharpies and paint and do a little touch up on these items to make them a little more realistic.  But at least Barbie is expanding her diet from fishes, baked beans and sausages!

Dinnerware, you can't have a dinner without it.  I think the pots and pans are going to need a full blown spray paint!  I love the goblets and champagne glasses.

They have some nice raised detailing on them that make them look somewhat elegant.

I got a few other non-related doll items also so all in all it was a great Christmas.  I hope everyone had a great holiday and got all their wishes too!

Thanks for stopping by......

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! May all your Barbie dreams and
wishes come true!

Christmas Outfits Part 3

Well, I did say I started sewing for the
holidays before Thanksgiving, so I
got quite a few items completed.

Here we have 2 simple gowns, both
have metallic accents on the fabric.

These ladies are 'Spots and Dots Teresa'
and 'Bead Blast Barbie'.  I chose simple,
unfussy lines for these dresses to show
off the fabric.  They are both 100% cotton
but work nicely here.

Well, I think that's all of them...9 total
outfits.  I had one more Skipper dress
cut out but just got tired of sewing
Christmas outfits!

Thanks for stopping by......

Christmas Outfits Part 2

As promised, here are 2 more Christmas dresses.
These are made from the book 'Vintage Clothing
for the Fashion Doll' 

This pattern is based on the original
Barbie dress from 1967 'Best Bow'.  It
has a definite MOD vibe to the styling
so two of my Standard Barbies are
modeling them.  As you can see, mine
are not sporting any bows.....I seem to
be bow-challenged and every attempt
I made looked well, amateurish, so they
are sans bows for now.

They actually look better than this
picture shows.  I can see making quite
a few more of these.

Thanks for stopping by......

Christmas Outfits 2019 Part 1

I try to make a few Christmas outfits for the
ladies and gents every year.  I started early
this year, before Thanksgiving so I would be
sure to get something finished.

Barbie (left) is my original doll.  She is wearing
a 2pc skirt and top.  I love the candy cane stripe
fabric.  Midge is ringing in the holiday with the
cutest candy cane print top and bright red stovepipe
pants.  Barbie (right) is wearing a dress I made a
few years ago but love the retro vibe of the skirt
print.

Francie is my original doll.  She looks adorable
in this bell sleeved top, red pants and bright green
booties.  Since there are few patterns for Francie
I made the top pattern from a dress pattern.

The two Skippers on the left are wearing outfits
made a few years ago.  The blonde is wearing a
2pc outfit and the brunette is wearing a dress. 
Redhead Skipper is my original doll.  She is wearing
a dress with the cutest snowman fabric on the
skirt.  Skooter is looking festive in her candy
cane striped top and red pants.

Interesting note here, the 3 dress/skirt outfits are
made from the same pattern. The pattern is very
versatile and when made as 2pcs can really
stretch a girls' wardrobe when mixed and matched.

I am working on finishing up a few more......
hopefully before the holiday.

Thanks for stopping by......

Deboxing Day - 2019 Holiday Barbie # FXF02 085912

It's the most wonderful time of year! Today we
are deboxing the 2019 Holiday Barbie!

I chose the AA Barbie version this year as I just thought
she was so pretty.  I am a sucker for a ponytail and this
one is a little different, off center with a cascade of curls
falling over her bare shoulder.  It balances out the big
bow at the back of her other shoulder.

But I am not a fan of the drawn on wispy hair tendrils
around the hairline.  It just doesn't look good to me and
was totally unnecessary.

The gown is really pretty this year and the
fabric has a decent feel to it, not too stiff as
it is sometimes.  I like the play on a candy
cane but I would really LOVE to see a green
dress!

I don't buy the Holiday Barbies every year,
just the ones I like.  And I think this one is
a nice addition to my small collection.  I will
have to get them all together for a group
photo.

Thanks for stopping .........

Deboxing Day - Kenyan Barbie # 11181 Year 1993

I found this beautiful lady while visiting friends
over Thanksgiving.  Kenyan Barbie #11181 from
1993.

I have been wanting to add this Barbie to my
collection because I love the Nichelle face mold and her
cute short hair cut.

I will be redressing her but I really like
her dress and cape, very simple but pretty.

She looks very regal from this angle, perhaps
she was royalty? 

Kenyan Barbie is very beautiful and I am
glad to have her and at a very reasonable price.
She is the only Barbie DOTW that I have or
have every wanted.

I am sure all the other ladies in the house will
welcome her......

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone a happy and peaceful

Thanksgiving!

1964 Barbie Sparkle Pink Gift Set Reproduction # 1011

This giftset was something I longed for when I was a
little girl, but she never made it to my house. I have
satisfied my dream with the reproduction of the Barbie
Sparkle Pink Giftset.

She was a gift from The Husband last Christmas and
has been packed away because of the move.  Finally
freeing her from her box I see she is very well done.

The doll itself is very nice, a good weight and
her subtle pink lips are so pretty.  Her hair is
much softer than my original bubblecut and a
very light blonde almost platinum.  She has a
pretty pink one piece bathing suit, pink mules
and clear stand.  She also comes with a fashion
brochure from that era describing the fashions
and the prices.  Don't we all wish those prices
were today prices!

I love these separates. So many ways to
combine them.  Here we have the one shoulder
top and wrap skirt.  The fabric is a little
stiff not as nice as the original.

Add the bolero and hat and we have a
very stylish cocktail outfit.

The coat is very disappointing.  There is no
way this will close with or without clothes
on.  Even if the button loop was elastic it
still wouldn't fit.  Anyone else have this
problem?

I really like this 1964 Barbie reproduction giftset
and am happy to finally have these outfits.

Maskerade Party Barbie # 56284 2002

I decided I needed a Halloween themed
Barbie in my collection.  I liked the outfit
on this one...the fake fur and little kitty
ears are adorable.  Guess I should have
posted it before Halloween...ooops!

She will be freed from her box eventually!

Thanks for stopping by......

New to me Barbie Fashion Paks

Our Walmart hasn't gotten any Barbie fashion paks in
lately so I was ordering some dolls and decided
to throw these two paks in the cart.

I like fashion paks BUT ......why no shoes?  And
why aren't items better coordinated?

Yvonne and Lisa chose these outfits from
the available items.  I love the skirts and
the stripped top.  And the jacket isn't bad
either.  But the knit tops are the usual short
sleeve front logo style or plain style.  How
about some solid color long sleeve tops.....
especially to wear under that cute little plaid
jumper?

I just picked up a new pattern for these dolls
with a nice knit top.  Guess I will have to try
my hand at sewing knits....not my strong suit.

Thanks for stopping by........

Deboxing Day - 1964 Ponytail Swirl Barbie

I got this lovely lady last Christmas. But
because of the move she got packed away
right after the holiday.  I finally got to take
her out for some fresh air.

The Barbie doll itself is very nicely made but her
hair is very thin, I can see her head at the
back, a little disappointing.  All the accessories
and her dress are nice though.

I have a vintage redhead swirl but wanted one
in each hair color so thought I would fill in with
a blonde and brunette reproduction.  I still am on
the look out for a reasonably priced brunette.

Happy Halloween ---late

Trish and Daryl hope you had a Happy Halloween

Picture Posting Trouble

I can not access the picture download page,
just get a blank screen.  Anyone else ever
have this problem?  Sent in a report, hopefully
it will clear up soon.

Until then waiting to post...........

Friday Fashion - Mod Sister Outfits

Mod matching sister outfits (say that
three times really fast).  Both are made
from vintage patterns.

Lisa and Yvonne at the Pumpkin Patch

It was a beautiful day for a drive in the
country to pick out a perfect pumpkin.

There were so many to choose from!

Lisa is making friends with the giant spider.....Yvonne
keeps her distance.

Yvonne has made her selection.

Lisa is thinking go big or go home!

The girls enjoyed getting out to enjoy
the fall weather.

Fall - Part 2

Continuing with the fall fashion show,
we have more conventional fall outfits
here (and a little sister wife-ish).

The floral wrap skirt and both tops are from a vintage
pattern. The striped skirt I made up.  I really like
this blouse pattern as it is very versatile.  It might
need a little tailoring in the body, could be a little
slimmer.

I always like to make extra tops to expand the
Ladies' wardrobe so sewed up these simple
camisole tops from another vintage pattern.
I added a little machine embroidery to the
muslin one for a bohemian look.  They are
simple to make and can be used under jackets
without too much bulk.  They would probably
look better tucked in the skirts.

I may sew up a few more fall outfits and then
start on some holiday ones.

Still trying to get back in the swing of things
since the move (juggling to learn a new online
job too....yikes). Hopefully will be posting more
often...........

Thanks for stopping in !

Fall - Part 1

Well summer went by in a blur, mostly I remember it being
 hot, hot and oh yeah, HOT!

We are finally getting some cooler weather so I have been
sewing some fall style clothes for the MODs (as far as we
consider fall style here in Florida).

These are transitional outfits, mostly just fall colors.

Vintage patterns were used for the 2 shift
dresses and the striped skirt.  The halter
top is taken from a vintage dress pattern.

I love choosing the fabrics for the MODs.
And the mod colors really play into the
fall theme - gold, brown, orange, avocado.

I also made the pillows on the mini pallets
in the background.

Few more to show you......stay tuned.

Too Hot and Humid to Play Outside

We have been having an extremely warm spring and start to
summer here in NE Florida.  Today the heat and humidity
is just too much for me to do anything outside so I decided
to hang out in the doll room this afternoon.

I am still trying to setup or figure out my room.  I've added
several Ikea Kallax units and a Billy bookcase but so far
it just doesn't feel comfortable to me working in it.  This
room and the closet are a tad bigger than the one in our old
house but it just feels more cramped for some reason.

Anyway, I decided to debox a few reproductions I got
recently and also some older ones that were in the closet.

50th Anniversary Francie is a little cutie.  I have my
original blonde on but always wanted a brunette.  I
found her at Tuesday Morning for $30.

I wanted this Gold n' Glamour outfit
more than I wanted the doll, but once she
arrived I was smitten. 

I jumped on Mod Friends when the set first came
out, but because of the prep for the sale and move
it was stored away after it arrived.  I was disappointed
that Barbie's right foot was bent when they arrived
and notified Mattel.  They wanted it sent back so they
could see it and then would send me another if they
hand one.  I just decided to keep her.  I love the set,
especially the outfits...but I'm wondering if Christie's
'Tangerine Scene' is going to hold up to the elements
or crack and fray. 

Again I got this for the outfit 'All
That Jazz'.  I have my original TNT
Barbie and didn't really want another
platinum blonde one.  That being said
I really like the outfit although the fabric
is REALLY stiff and the doll is very
pretty.  This is an older reproduction
from around 2005 and I think Mattel
was doing a better job on quality of the
dolls.

'Red, White and Warm' is an older
reproduction also (2007) and has been
sitting in my closet for quite along time.
I wanted this for the outfit and the doll.
I never had a Marlo flip Barbie and at
the time couldn't afford one (I have gotten
and original one in the meantime).  And
I really wanted this outfit, so cute.

But as an experienced collector I should have
known better and deboxed her when I got her
and removed the outfit.  Mea culpa!

The vinyl coat melded into the box liner so
that when taking her out some of the vinyl was
left behind.  The fushia color of the liner also
bled into the vinyl.  The coat is very fragile,
if you move her arm it just cracks and splits.

If you notice in the first photo her right leg is
also bent in the unnatural position they had her
in the box.  She now has one bowed leg and I
am sure those vinyl boots will not come off
willingly.

So that has been my afternoon.  The one doll was a
disappointment but it's my own fault.  I still have a
few more reproductions that I got for Christmas that
I haven't opened yet.  So more to come.