The New and Improved Duchess Swan

Hi Friends!

This post has been longer than I expected. I started back at work and it's taken some adjustment to get baby used to bottles during the day rather than mom. But now it's the weekend, baby is napping, (It's over 100 degrees outside), and now I get to stay inside and work on this post!

Before I went back to work I got a little time to craft and improve my Duchess Swan doll!

The Duchess headpiece really bothered me. ALL Pink? Where's the fun in that? By looking at what her head piece was in the webisodes and with a little help from a fabulous YouTube video, my Duchess went from ok to OKAY!!

Webisode Duchess

www.everafterhigh.com

Doll Duchess
 

Blah.

So I started by taking down her hair. She looks pretty with it down.

And lots of pretty white and pink streaks. 

So here is Miss Duchess and the fabulous paint brush

Before I started the headpiece I noticed that I always hated the pink on her shoes. In the webisodes they are purple. Not to mention the "overspray" that seeped onto the black part of her shoes.

Again, nothing a little paint can't fix up! I didn't have purple paint so I did a little mixing until I got the right shade I wanted.

Still need another coat but looking good so far!

So I finished with the shoe paint, coated with a clear lacquer and put them on. I also noticed that she had a hole in her tights at the toe. Know how hard it is to put shoes on when they tights don't stay down? 

I didn't take progress pics of the headpiece but I painted the pearls white, the flower black and white with a ruby in the center, the center feathers silver and black, the upper feathers have some white in the creases to give some depth and I wasn't really sure what to do with the "pineapple" up there so I shaded with some light blue. I also gave the black feather across her head some silver in the creases to give some depth. What do you think?

Next it was time to fix her hair. In the webisodes she has kind of a bouffant hair style going on. This is where I followed the You Tube video I found. The girl does a GREAT job of styling Duchess' hair.

First find the place where her hair separates. Towards the front of her head. Note the large plastic seam.

Comb that in front and clip to keep out of the way.

Then separate out all the pink and white hair. This should not be that hard to do. It's very clear where the lighter hair is and where the black hair starts. All the white hair is on top of the black. Clip lighter hair.

Put the black part in a ponytail and don't pull all the way through leaving a little tuft on top.

Get your hairspray ready! Duchess prefers TRESemme UV Protection. Perfect for those days she practices her ballet on the lake.

Then wrap the lighter hair over the top of the tuft and spray in back. Leave some of the black showing through. You can also use a bobby pin to keep the hair in place. I actually didn't follow the directions to the T. I put ALL of the black hair into the tuft. You are actually supposed to keep some of it out for her side ponytail but I think I kind of like it this way....for now. :)

What do you think?

I love her like this and am very pleased on how she turned out. I think she looks more like Duchess and gives a little bit of flair to an otherwise bland headband. Her headpiece does stay on so don't be afraid to cut those plastic bands!

Friends, done any customization on your EAH dolls? Let me know in the comments!

I do have another round of Garage Sale dolls from Dear Ol' Dad and a newcomer to the EAH party! See you then!

World Doll Day Tag Actual Post

Hi!

As I mentioned before I was tagged for these fun questions for World Doll Day. Unfortunately with a newborn and, you know, sleep...I was unable to get to this post until the next day. :)

I was tagged by Kewpie83 at Confessions Of A Doll Collectors Daughter and BarbieLea at Barbie Beauties. If you have not checked out their blogs yet, go do it! They have amazing pictures and collections.

The first question was to name 3 favorite dolls that I acquired in the past year. 

1. This girl inspired my love of Ever After High.

The most beautiful Ashlynn Ella. She is my favorite of the Ever After High Dolls (although Ginger Breadhouse and Raven Queen both run a close second!) I bought her almost exactly one year ago when they had a super sale at Target and then I slowly (and at times quickly!) purchased the rest of the first wave. 

2. My first Midge!

I received my very first Midge for Christmas this year. She is the California Dream Midge, a line I absolutely love! I was so excited. Growing up I received a lot of Barbie (because I have blonde hair) and Teresa (because that's my name). I never got a lot of Midge or Ken or Christie or the others. So getting my first Midge was awesome. 

3. This doll was on my dolly wish list for a LONG time.

California Dream Barbie. I was SO excited to get her. I wanted her since I was a kid and now I finally have her! I also received the Teresa doll my parents found at a garage sale. Now I just need Ken and Christie to complete my California Dream set!

Next question is - 3 dolls on my dolly wish list.

1. Another doll that has been on my list for a LONG time.

www.pinterest.com

Dance Club Barbie. I just love her! She is not too expensive, not sure why I haven't picked her up yet. (Oh I know, I spend all my money on EAH dolls!) I think what I like about her is the socks with the pumps. So 80's!

2. I'm a HUGE Lord of the Rings fan.

www.pinterest.com

 

Arwen and Aragorn. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I would love to get these someday. Just beautiful. And so accurate!

3. A unique doll but because I can't go to SDCC.

www.mattel.com

 

Cerise Wolf. They seem to be in a trend of releasing a special EAH doll at the San Diego Comic-Con. The one this year is AMAZING but this one I just can't get over. I would love to put her in my collection!

I'm supposed to tag other bloggers but I think at this point they've already been tagged. So what I'm doing is tagging YOU! Let me know in the comments what are the three favorite dolls you acquired this year and three dolls on your dolly wish list. 

New post coming up in a few days! :) See you then!

World Doll Day Tag!

Hi friends!

I've been tagged by Kewpie83 at Confessions Of A Doll Collectors Daughter and BarbieLea at Barbie Beauties for this fun World Doll Day Tag post!

Unfortunately I won't get to this post now but it will be forthcoming!

The questions are:

1. List 3 favourite dolls from the ones you got last year
2. List 3 dolls currently on your wish list
3. Tag 5 people to do the same thing! (Anyone with a home on the web, not just bloggers, can be tagged!)

Stay Tuned!

Today is World Doll Day!

Greetings everyone!

Today is World Doll Day! A beautiful tradition started by Mildred Seeley who in 1986 wrote this letter:

“So, you have not heard of World Doll Day? This is not surprising as of an hour ago, I hadn’t conceived the idea. To make it happen. I need cooperation of every doll collector, every magazine editor, doll newsletter, doll shop, library, doll maker, mother, grand­mother, father, grandfather, and all the stray aunts and uncles. The first World Doll Day is the Second Saturday of June 1986. Give a doll to a grownup, child in the family or just a friend. If you don’t have a child to give a doll to – find one. There are many children with no dolls.

Think of it this way and ship a doll to another country. I have always felt that the common doll could be an instrument of world understanding. From the first time I started writing books on doll making, I had the hope that dolls would help make friends all over the world and develop a little love among all.

World Doll Day will also be a day for doll exhibits. It is my hope that all libraries will have a special doll exhibit. Museums will publicize their doll exhibits and have special doll exhibits at this time. Magazines will put out special editions. Doll stores will put on campaigns weeks ahead. Doll Makers will make special dolls for World Doll Day. There will be doll competitions with World Doll Day awards, plaques and trophies.

The logo is made from artist Boots Tyner’s doll representing a child. The child carries a German bisque doll to represent this doll collectors gift. Feel free to copy the logo or have one made.

Everyone can enjoy the fun as there are no fees, no permission needed, no obligations, nobody owns the day, no club, no company. It’s a free- for- all, take up the day, its ideas and fly with it. Lets do it now. World Doll Day.

If you think World Doll Day is a good idea, then appoint yourself a committee of one to do something about it–only then can it become a reality. Would you tell five people, ask them to tell five people, and each of them tell five people and so on. World Doll Day’s birthday is June 14, 1986.

Sincerely,
Mil and Vernon Seeley
P.S. This letter may be copied and copied again and again until the world knows about World Doll Day.”

*letter borrowed from Confessions of a Doll Collectors Daughter (dollyconfessions.wordpress.com)

I do have plans to give dolls. I have a TON of Kelly dolls that I got from the thrift store. So once I get them out of storage and get some clothes for the poor girls (and one Tommy!) then I can work on giving them out to little ones in need. (Check out the whole ton of Kelly's I got here!)

So for this World Doll Day I would like to again show off this vintage beauty. Usually when I talk vintage I mean Barbie! However it was this gift I got from my Grandmother. 

The bells are from my Grandma's wedding cake but look how beautiful she is. 

There is minor cracking on her feet. She is not porcelain but kind of that paper mache type material.

Her dress is flawless.

In the lid of the box was written this message

My grandmother was born in 1929 so she would have been 14. I'm excited that she wrote this in the lid. My grandmothers memory is failing and if I were to ask her about it she would not likely remember. However when she did give it to my dad to give to me she said that she was going to give it to my cousin but decided that she wanted me to have it. And I'm glad!

This is a special doll that I cherish. I haven't named her yet and I'm not sure. Maybe Lorrine after my Grandmother (which is my middle name.) I could name it after Grandmas middle name except she hates it (It's Doris.)

And I'm so glad that I've met awesome collectors all over the world! You all are awesome and I love talking dollies with you and seeing all your collections. Love you all!

I was all ready to start on my re-do of the hair of Duchess Swan. But we are in the process of moving. We've got a couple of showings on our house and one offer so we will see if I will have to pack up the Ever After High dolls soon or not. However, there will be a new post possibly next week! (depending on when the mail arrives, HA!)

Until then and Happy World Doll Day!

New Barbie Things!

Hi all!

It's been a while. But I finally get the chance to blog while the baby is sitting in his swing chewing on his ever-so-delicious hands. Babies are funny aren't they?

My babes is growing up! He is in the 94th percentile for his length. It was like it was yesterday that he was just a teeny tiny little baby and all his clothes were too big for him.

And now I have this....

WAA! The "too small" clothes bag. Tear. Especially that little "All-Star" jacket on top. So cute. Wore it 3 times. More tear.

Anyway, I have things today that made me joyous when I saw them!

My dad goes garage shopping every weekend. He's retired so he is usually the early bird who gets the worm on Friday mornings when most everyone else is at work. I can't remember if I mentioned it before but my hometown is a serious treasure trove. And people want to get rid of this stuff for pennies on the dollar. Unlike where I live, people want to sell used shoes for $20. I don't know about you but when I go to a garage sale I want a serious bargain! And $20 is no bargain. That's the newest Ever After High doll purchase price!

My dad scored the jackpot again. A few semi-vintage items.

To me, vintage is beginning to the 1970's. Semi-vintage is 80's to the time where they went to the new body type. Just for clarification :)

This case definitely falls into the vintage category. The year at the bottom says 1968. A little banged up however, but for a vintage item I can deal with that. 

When I opened it I saw this inside.


Major score! Most cases are missing this cardboard piece or are damaged beyond recognition. Intact! And for Midge! Wahoo!

And if you turn it around...for Barbie!

These cases my dad finds are awesome.

And now, some fabulous semi-vintage fashions.

OMG, Twice as Nice fashions! I remember wanting these as a kid! At a whole whopping $1, this was a score.

As I was squealing with delight, my dad said, "Now don't take it out! It will drop the collector value!" But for me, I have no interest in reselling my dolls. I have told my husband, the ONLY time I would sell my dolls was if we both lost our jobs and were in jeopardy of losing our house. Do NIB fashion packs sell for that much anyway? 

I can't wait till I can get my dolls out again. I have tons of old style body dolls that would look fabulous in this dress!

The back of the package showing the rest of the Twice as Nice fashion collection.

The two on the top right are like, SUPER 80's. :)

Another $1 find was this "B" Active Fashion!

As I've mentioned before, I have a soft spot for 80's active wear so this outfit is right up my alley. We have another instance where Mattel changed the color of the outfit for production. I like both colors actually. Purple and teal is a good mix. I remember when purple and teal was all the rage! And this outfit comes with a headband! Love that!

I already have a "B" Active Fashion in my collection. This two toned jogging suit.

These other three outfits don't look like they would be a good choice for "active wear".

The other outfits in the "B" Active Fashion collection. Check the one shouldered outfit lower right second one in! Super 80's!

I'm not sure if this outfit goes with this package or not but it's a cute little pink slip and undies set. Packaging is "Barbie Best Buy Fashions." 

Is there more that goes with this set? Anyone know?

I found this amusing. On the back of the package for this Best Buy Fashion is a tutorial on "how to dress your doll." I guess this makes sense because we all know how hard it is sometimes to dress those dolls with permanently bent arms!

Also found was this adorable little Jester Jenny from the Kelly Club. I'm gathering quite the collection of Kelly Club dolls. I have a Lorena, a Tommy and now a Jenny. The only one I don't have is Kelly herself (go figure)

I also received in the mail this American Girl catalog. I remember getting these as a kid and dreaming of the American Girl doll that I would never have (because they are so expensive!) I am glad that they now have other store brands that are more cost effective. I remember being so in love with Samantha! If you are an American Girl collector, Caroline is going into the archive soon. Get her now while you can!

Ever After High update! Because I'm OBSESSED!

Four new basic wave dolls are out and ready for purchase! I've only found them on Amazon and they go out of stock as soon as they come in. So I'll have to wait to add them to my collection.

Faybelle Thorn, Darling Charming, Allistair Wonderland and Bunny Blanc! Darling Charming is my favorite of the 4 but it is nice to get another male to the line!

Also out are the "Way Too Wonderland" line. And they have added a fabulous playset with a new "Way Too Wonderland" doll. Just for us Raven Queen fans!

www.pinterest.com

Gah, why do they do this to me? Don't you love her? The cards on the collar? The shoes?

I've also seen images of a Way Too Wonderland Briar Beauty. Not sure if they are for real but we shall see!

So, a while ago I did have a hankering to work on my Benny doll again. Until I realized that my sewing machine is packed up because we are in the process of selling our house and moving. So he will have to wait. But I do have another project that I am going to work on with my Duchess Swan doll. I'll be working on that in the next week or so (pending on if baby is fussy or not). So I'll hopefully be putting that up soon!

Friends, do you have any of the Twice as Nice or "B" Active fashions? What do you think of Way Too Wonderland Raven Queen? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

New stuff coming!

Hey friends!

I know, it's been a long while since the last post! Been busy with baby! But I will have some new goodies to show you all. My dad went garage sale shopping and scored some great finds. New post coming this week. 

Stay tuned!

After My Heart

Well, here it is. I am going to go bankrupt. I wanted to share some new Ever After High lines. They are seriously stealing my heart!

Remember "Just Sweet" Blondie Lockes? Well, I was incorrect in that post. There is not a "Just Sweet" line. The correct term is "Sugar Coated." And it comes with a new Holly O'Hair, Cedar Wood, and Madeline Hatter. 

LOVE. And the shoes. Oh my goodness. They come with accessory treats.

www.dollgenie.com

The oven mitt! I can't even.....

www.amazon.com

Cedar has a....I can't tell what it is. Anyone know?

www.amazon.com

Maddie. Super cute with her frosting dispenser!

www.amazon.com

I love these. They are so cute. And it's about time we got a new Maddie! I wasn't too impressed with the Mirror Beach dolls. 

Also, Ginger Breadhouse has her Bakery Class playset. How cute is this! The bench is those wafers and gingerbread men chair! So adorable.

www.dollgenie.com

Okay! So we have the Sugar Coated line. But this line I want even more. 

Get ready for the dolls of.....Way Too Wonderland!

Oh my goodness. lovelovelovelovelovelovelove

Apple White. Check that bow in her hair. And that DRESS!!!

www.pinterest.com

 

Madeline Hatter. I love the hat. So fitting!

pt.fanpop.com

Kitty Cheshire. Okay, this has got to be the most creative thing ever. The clock hanging off the tail? The fur around the neck? And the yellow color? Simply amazing!

www.specktra.net

Now for the best one of all. Lizzie Hearts! Check out that collar! And the swan in the crown? SO SO SO AWESOME.

www.tumblr.com

FRIENDS. I am going to go broke. However I do love the Way Too Wonderland line better than the Sugar Coated line. 

Remember what I said in the beginning of my Ever After High collecting? I fell in love with Ashlynn Ella and found her on a super sale at Target so I bought her. It was just going to be her. Then it expanded into the basic first wave dolls. Then you know i'm a sucker for ball gowns so I had to get the Thronecoming line. And I just LOVE the Wonderlandians so now I have another line to get. Gah! But what can I say. I just collect what I love and that's the fun of it right?

And while I was searching for pictures I found this and I could not stop laughing. 

Monster High Freak du Chic Gooliope Jellington.

Gooliope? That's hilarious! I guess she's the daughter of The Blob? I love the radioactive symbols in her eyes!

www.flickr.com

What do you think of these two lines? And if you collect Monster High, thinking of getting Gooliope Jellington? Love her, hate her? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!