Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Barbie's Dream House

 I never had Barbie's Dream House when I was a kid (I did have the Fashion Shoppe, which I wish, wish, wish they would reproduce) and I missed the first release a few years back.  So I jumped on the new release gift set with bubblecut doll and additional outfits.  Warning: Picture heavy


Looks just like the original. 
2020 Barbie's Dreamhouse Giftset #GNC38-9644


Before setup and move in.


Furniture needs to be assembled.


Bubblecut reproduction and 2 extra outfits


Reproduction 2-piece pajamas 1962-63.  They added blue mules with pom-poms, brush and comb and an alarm clock.


Reproduction Busy Morning #956.  For some reason they included the tray and drinks from Friday Night Date


Reproduction Blonde Bubblecut in turquoise Silk Sheath


She really is very well done.  She is stunning with the hairnet removed and her hair fluffed out (I forget to get a picture.)


Assembling the furniture, time consuming but pretty easy.


Hour and a half later........TaDa!


I made a matching bedspread and pillows.


Babs loves her new digs!

This structure is quite large but folds up nicely.  The only place I can open it full without worrying about the dog is on the dining room table.  I will probably set up specific dioramas for a few days, take pics and then take down.  I like it but did have buyers' remorse after it arrived (it has a hefty price tag) but I sold a Miss Revlon doll and it almost paid for the whole thing.

I would love for Mattel to do the Fashion Shoppe reproduction.  I LOVED mine when I was a kid.  It is a bit larger than the Dream House but I would get it in a minute if they issue it!

So this doll brings my total to 157.  I might ask The Husband for one or 2 new ones for Christmas, just haven't decided yet.  There are a few I want to sell, so I need to work on that before the holidays.

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


Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Barbie Collection Catalog Project - The final Dolls

 These are the final dolls in my catalog project. Now I do have 3 MTM dolls, 4 Kelly and Friends, 1 Stacie and 1 Chelsea, but I am not counting them in my collection.  The little dolls are just used as props for some dioramas, I don't collect them.  Kind of the same with the MTM dolls, they are just for dioramas I don't really consider them part of the doll collection but I may change my mind and add them later.

I got this doll because I wanted the animals and I don't have many brunettes from this era (come to think of it I don't have many dolls from this era at all!).  She has a load of hair, almost too much, I may cut it or not.



1996 Pet Doctor Barbie (Brunette - Target Exclusive) #16458

This Kira is beautiful and so is her outfit but the jumpsuit is a pain to get on.



1998 Very Velvet Kira #20531

Last Halloween I decided I needed a Halloween Barbie in my collection and got this one for $7 NRFB.  But of course I removed her from her box.  I like her outfit, the doll is pretty average but okay.



2002 Maskerade Party Barbie #56284

My vintage Francie needed a friend her age and I wanted a brunette Francie without breaking the bank so got this doll.  She is a very nice reproduction.




2016 50th Anniversary Francie #DKN06:HHD353

I got the following two dolls strictly for the historical look at Barbie's iconic black and white swimsuit.  Neither has been removed from box which is unusual for me.




2014 Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Swimsuit Edition #BCP84



2009 Then and Now 1959-2009 #P6508

You can not be a Barbie collector and not have a few anniversary dolls.  These dolls are gorgeous and Mattel did a very nice job on the gown, it is beautiful.



2019 60th Anniversary - AA #FXC79-0970-DOM



2019 60th Anniversary #FXD88-0970-DOM

At one point in time I had 3 NRFB 1980 Black Barbies.  I decided I didn't need to be a hoarder and sold 2 to share her beauty with other collectors.  I jumped immediately when they released this doll and I think Mattel did a fantastic job of honoring the first one.



2020 40th Anniversary Black Barbie #GLG35IDC:FOM620

This doll was gifted to me by a friend.  His wife was a Mary Kay consultant for years and this was the only Barbie she ever bought for herself.  After her passing he asked if I would like it as he could think of no one else that would appreciate the doll as me.  I was honored he thought of me and happily accepted her into my collection.



2003 Mary Kay Star Consultant #B2737

My only Teresa doll to date.  I find some of the Teresa's have too big of a forehead in proportion to her face but this one is very beautiful.  Plus she has that cute dalmatian!



1993 TRU Spots n' Dots Teresa #10885

So after about 9 months I have completed cataloging my Barbie dolls (and friends) collection into a database.  So how many dolls you ask?  Not as big as some but bigger than others, really a modest collection.  Without the uncounted dolls mentioned at the beginning of this post the tally is 156!  

I do have plans to sell some of the dolls, maybe after the first of the year, and of course there will always be a new doll to add. (In fact there is one on the way, should be here end of the week!)

I hope you enjoyed seeing the dolls in my collection, stay tune for the cataloging of the individual outfits......should be fun!

Thanks for stopping by......


















Friday, September 11, 2020

Barbie Collection Catalog Project 138 - 143 More Silkstones

We continue with the last few Silkstones in my collection.  As you can see I've grown to love these dolls.  I was disheartened to learn they are going to discontinue the BFMC line.  But they are supposedly going to continue the Silkstones.  I will be anxiously waiting to see what they come up with!

This doll looks so sad to me, she tugs at my heart.  Her outfit so just gorgeous, I would be thrilled to wear it!




2015 BFMC Blush Beauty #CHT04 IDC: SS1543

A modern version of Evening Enchantment, this next doll reminds me of Patsy Stone from Absolutely Fabulous. It must be the hair!



2016 BFMC Glam Gown #DGW58 IDC:QXU455

Another pretty lady with a beautiful dress.



2016 BFMC Blush and Gold Cocktail Dress #DWF55 IDC:UEQ597

Paying homage to Barbie's iconic striped bathing suit this doll hits the mark right down to her black and platinum hair.



2018 BFMC Black and White Forever #FXF25 IDC:SRK768

Celebrating Barbie's 60th Birthday.  The outfit is atrocious, blindingly pink made of less than quality fabric.........but that pink swirl ponytail was worth the purchase.



2018 BFMC Proudly Pink #FXD50 IDC:KLO233

This is one of the current Silkstones available.  I liked it because of the extra outfits and I didn't have a red haired Silkie yet.  



2020 BFMC The Best Look Giftset #GNC39 IDC:GCA450

I may add more of the older Silkies but I think this will be the last of the current ones I add to my collection.  I wasn't impressed with the Best to Tea or the Gala's Best dolls and Gala's Best is also very pricey for what it is.

So I still have a few stray dolls to round up and catalog but the count at this point is 145.  I think it will top out at 150-155. 

Thanks for stopping by.......


Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Falling for Fall Outfit

 I love how this outfit turned out!  I used a vintage Advance pattern from 1961, there is no number on it just a 'Group B' designation.  It is described as a 2pc shirtwaist dress, so I may make a top from the skirt fabric to give it a one piece dress look too.  I may also make a yellow top to stretch Barbie's options for this skirt.  I love the fabric which is a 1930's reproduction quilting cotton.

Barbie thinks this outfit will be perfect for strolls through the antique malls and a trip to the farmer's market.



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

Saturday, September 5, 2020

Barbie Collection Catalog Project 133-137 The Silkstones

 The Silkstones are the last major grouping in my collection.  When they were first issued I didn't care for them, something about their faces put me off.  But I wanted at least one in my collection for it to be complete in my mind.  

This was the doll I chose to represent the line in my collection.  I thought she was very pretty and her outfits we beautiful.  Unfortunately she one hand as wide as a pitchers' mitt and can not get on her coat, or any other slim sleeved clothing item.  But she is pretty.  Her name is Olivia Brentwood.



2001 BFMC Continental Holiday Giftset  #55497

The above Mrs. Brentwood needed a Silkstone Mr. Brentwood.  (My dolls do not usually cross collections or eras.  These dolls are very distinctive and don't play well with the others in my mind.)  So I chose Roger Sterling from the Mad Men collection to be paired with the lovely Mrs. Brentwood.



2010 Mad Men Roger Sterling #T4549


Once I had these Silkies in my collection I needed more.....



2002 BFMC Fashion Insider Ken Giftset #56706




2014 BFMC Little Red Dress #CGT26




2015 BFMC Classic Camel Coat #DGW54

As it turns out I love the weight of the Silkies and their outfits are fairly well made so I have been adding more as I can.  More to come........

Thanks for stopping by.......