Getting a Jump on the 4th of July

 Trisha and Daryl are ready for the

4th of July.

Cooling off in the garden courtyard.

What says 4th of July more than grilled hot dogs and

Daryl is an expert griller.

Trisha and Spot have found a shady spot to 

relax in.

Still Here......

 I am still here just been busy with other new hobbies and some volunteer projects. 

 I got into cardmaking and started making cards for several charity organizations, Letters Against Isolation, From the Heart and Soldiers Angel.  It can be a little time consuming.

Here are some general cards and birthdays cards I've made and sent out.

I've also become a volunteer for our county sheriff's office.  I am currently working one morning a week helping with the scanning of old criminal records to a new database system.  Interesting job.

So I haven't been doing much Barbie related crafting or playing.  I have been selling a few dolls on Ebay, trying to get the collection to a more manageable level.

We had guests this weekend so the sewing, craft, office room got a good cleaning.  I don't think it will look like this again until we have guests again...LOL!

Been working outside a lot getting flowers and veggies started.  But that will slow down as the heat picks up after Memorial Day.  Here are some of my flowers:

Dwarf sunflower complete with a wee bee.

Inca II Primrose Marigolds

Pentas

Rose of Sharon tree and marigolds

Hope everyone is doing well!

Take care,

Chris

Birthday Gift

 I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays!

My birthday was January 27th and my sister, Aprelle, sent me the prettiest outfit for my Barbie.  She purchased it from a woman in her town (northern Wisconsin) who makes them.

It fits her perfectly and she was in need of a coat as it has been pretty chilly here in NE Florida!

Stay warm, everyone!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas......

 

Ken seems to be having a little trouble with the tree lights.

Someome is going to have a very merry Christmas.

Wishing everyone all the timeless treasures of

Christmas......

the warmth of home, the love of family

and

the company of good friends.

Merry Christmas 

and 

Happy New Year!

Chris

Haunted Courtyard

Elise and Roxanne are getting in the Halloween spirit!

Roxanne looks quite fetching in this kitty outfit.....meow!

Elise chose a more subdued dress but still looks beautiful!

Happy Halloween!

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

Barbie Looks 2021

 I think I ordered these dolls back in late June/early July, Mattel had a very good price for the set.  They arrived piecemeal over the last 3 weeks, with the final one showing up yesterday.  I am hesitant about freeing them from their boxes for some reason.  I like them but ....... I don't know, just not as excited about them as I thought I would be.  I hate when this happens.

In the last month I have added 7 new dolls and sold 2 from my collection.  Not a good turn over ratio if you are trying to shrink your collection!  And I am sending back 2 other dolls I recently received because they just didn't look like the description given online.  So if I would have kept them it would have been:

Incoming Dolls - 9  Out Going Dolls - 2

Not a good score in baseball or dolls!

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

Holiday Barbie 2021

She's here!

This doll is available in the usual 3 versions of caucasian, hispanic and AA.  I don't get the Holiday doll every year but lately I have been opting for the AA version.  The AA version usually has a different hairstyle every year which, to me, makes the dolls more interesting, I don't know why they don't switch up the other two versions.  I ordered this one the minute I saw her.......that hair is so cute!  And her face, I think this is a new face sculpt, so pretty.

I like the silver dress and don't even mind the silver plastic corset, it adds a little sparkle.  The only thing I don't care for is the drawn on baby hair along the hairline.  The 2019 doll had the same issue for me.  I just don't think it is needed.  I do think that if this doll is handled or played with a lot those braids will start to fray on the ends, we'll see.

The bodice under the corset is the same material as the dress skirt, simple but elegant.  The corset is easy to remove.  She has clear pointy toed pumps with a very, very thin heel which is going to bend over time.  COA and stand are included.  She has a standard model muse style body.

All in all, I love her........she's a real doll!

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