Wednesday, September 30, 2009

"Borrowing" Mixis Fashions - Impromptu Fashion Show

Ever wonder what other dolls or action figures can wear Mixis fashions? I had submitted photos for a thread on this query at the Men With Dolls board. Below are some additional photos of other dolls and action figures wearing Mixis fashions.




Sideshow Buffy wearing LE Rosa's brown shrug and LE Opal's pants, Mego Diana Ross wearing LE Emerald's turquoise tank and LE Rosa's denim mini, and Lanard I-Girl Rio wearing LE Opal's orange tank and LE Emerald's denim mini.




BBi Perfect Body Hispanic wearing Happy Family Alan's shirt and LE Opal's pants, Jakks Pacific G.I.R.L. Force Kulture Shock Jaz wearing Sunshine Opal's sundress, Get Set Club Fiona wearing Sunshine Houda's sundress, and Get Real Girl Gabi wearing LE Opal's orange tank and LE Emerald's denim mini.




Fashion Fever Barbie (Belly button body) in LE Emerald's tank and LE Opal's pants, Ladies Mission Nun Kyoko Tenryu in a Ken tee shirt and LE Rosa's denim mini (stockings, boots, and cross her own), and Jakks Pacific Jaz showing the back of her borrowed sundress that - yay! actually closes - fits.




Surprise! Paparazzi Bait Adele in Sunshine Rosa's sundress.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

New Power Team Guy - Combat Engineer at Big Lots!

Big Lots! Norristown. I was only going to look, but when I saw this guy, I had to have him.

Meet the Power Team Elite World Peacekeepers Combat Engineer!

Here's a close up of his face. Notice the elegant flare to his nostrils. What a classy sculpting job and for $10!




and here's the full length view in his box.




I don't recall seeing this figure before, but that doesn't mean that he was never there before. New or old though, he's new to me. I'm happy.

Toys R Us and Moxie Price Discrepancy

Toys R Us has the Moxie Girls Art-Titude dolls for sale ... EXCEPT Sasha. Please read this post from DBG of Black Doll Collecting blog:

Moxie price

The Toys R Us contact number is 1-800-Toys R Us or 1-800-869-7787.

Thanks for your time and attention.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Doll Collector as Villain or Humanitarian?

A recent post on the DollyDaily blog laments the negative image of doll and action figure collectors on television shows [and in movies, my addition]. According to this stereotype, doll collectors are weird and dangerous nutjobs who either prize their plastic "idols" more than they do live people OR they seek to trap real humans into "doll" form for control.

Ooga booga ... BOO!

I'll take "weird" - my Mom disagrees, but she's a Mom. "Nutjob?" I'll argue that down to "creative" and "imaginative." Moving on ... "dangerous" ... meek little (cough, gasp) me? No way. Sure, I take dolls and figures off shelves and possibly deprive children of that doll or figure. Mostly though, I try to help people. I click on the Hunger Site daily. And there are lots of other collectors like me, who not only TRY to help people, they actually do help people.

Example: Rudi Teruel of R and D Dolls has found a way to help victims of the Filipino typhoon - please read more at his other blog

Example 2: Niel, a Filipino collector and dear contributor to Comments here at PhillyCollector, shares additional helpful information

Granted, they are two collectors, but there they are - helpful and concerned doll collectors. Concerned about living people. Because collecting dolls doesn't negate love and fondness for living people.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Linh Found - Surprise Visit to the 1970s

I almost suspect that my dolls and action figures come alive when I leave them. How else can I explain finding missing Dragon Linh in a bag with Ideal Tuesday Taylor and her half-sister Taylor Jones (their relationship as I recall it from my childhood years)? While my action figures and dolls interact - I put them in scenes together - I don't recall placing these figures together.

Here they go, Ideal Corporation's Tuesday Taylor and Taylor Jones flanking Dragon Linh. Tuesday and Taylor both wear Ideal Tuesday Taylor fashions that are NOT their original bodysuits with miniskirts. Linh wears her original pants, top, hat, and sandals. No original scarf for Linh: I bought her and the clothes she has separate.



Talk about dolls that make you go "hmmm ..."

More information about the now mysterious Linh can be found here and here.

More information about Tuesday Taylor and Taylor Jones can be found here and here and here.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Mixis Outfits Modeled by Opal(s) - Link Included

The two denim Mixis fashions are shown on Sunshine Edition Mixis Opal on the ever informative Black Doll Collecting blog. Debbie Garrett, the blog author, provides beautiful photos of both the curly-haired Opal and the straight-haired Opal, each wearing one of the Mixis denim outfits sold separately.

I like both the Red Vest and the Pink Vest outfits, but I have to say I LOVE the shoes. The red-white checked espadrilles are novel and look sublimely comfortable. The pale pink "suede" boots with fur trim also look trendy yet comfy. Sigh. These are must have fashions.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Mixis Pattern Query Results

The poll question was "Mixis dolls need this kind of clothes". Twenty-two visitors responded to these choices:

Vote Counts / Choices:

18 for Casual pants, skirts, tops

11 for Tailored suits, coats, shirts

8 for Formal gowns and/or tuxedos

8 for Ethnic-themed costumes

6 for Other ... thus described in Comments:

Sports
Swimsuits and underwear



Visitors were allowed to select multiple answers

Poll opening date 9/16/09
Poll closing date and time 9/23/09

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Houda Holds a Meeting



Houda and some other fuller-figured dolls and action figures meet to discuss what patterns they would like to have for the Mixis dolls and similar sized females. There is strength in numbers!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Goodtime Sunday ... the Flavas at Ease



Here are some of my Mattel's Flavas dolls enjoying the gorgeous, summery day.

Tika has been re-bodied onto a poser My Scene Madison body while Happy D has a My Scene Barbie body. The dog once belonged to Hilary Duff. Kiyoni Brown and Liam are all original. Tika holds a camera; today, she wears an extra Cheetah Girls outfit and a Jakks Pacific handbag. Where did she leave her shoes? Standing next to Tika, Kiyoni dances and waves at an approaching friend as Liam leans into Happy D to ask if she feels chilly.

Sewing Samples from My Past

Back in the 1970s, I used to "make" my dolls clothes. Funds were limited: I had an allowance of $1.25 a week and daily lunch money. Even skimping on lunch, I needed to choose between dolls or action figures and accessories for them. Dana the budding collector would usually choose a doll or an action figure. I had about three patterns for doll clothes OR I could trace the outline of outfits my dolls wore. My pieces were serviceable. I could "make" the outfits more like what a real person (i.e., ME) would wear.

Here are some pieces I made. I photographed them and then turned some of them inside out to show seams and hemming. In the first photo, I have a rose polyester blouse, a brown corduroy jumper, a white cotton full slip, a denim miniskirt, a gray midi skirt, a white polyester shirt for Michael of the Young Sweethearts, and a reproduction of a 19th Century set of white cotton bloomers.






I didn't have a sewing machine. Nor did I want one at the time. I used old clothes or small fabric swatches from fabric stores. Nothing elaborate. But I had fun. And my dolls had "original" clothes ;-D

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Helpful Sewing Links, One Recommended by Niel

Since I've been talking "sewing," I decided to three sewing related links. The first is from Niel of Niel's Dolls


Tips and Tricks by Valkyrie

Tips and supply suggestions.


Perestroika Fitting Tips

Illustrations showing various playscale female as well as a few male dolls and practice fitting.


Perestroika Sewing Links

Links to patterns, other sewing tips and tools, etc.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Patterns for the Mixis Dolls - What Would You Want?




"Just one pattern OUR size ... that's all I ask!"

Houda and Opal would like more clothes. Clothes are a passion of fashion dolls. I have plastic bins full of fashion doll clothes, but the Mixis shape is decidedly rounder and fuller at the buttocks than the mounds of mostly Barbie fashions I have. Homemade clothes would expand their wardrobe.

If you were to sew fashions for your Mixis dolls, what kinds of pattern would you want? I have a new poll in the sidebar. Please let me know what your Mixis pattern interests are and I will forward that information to Debbie Goodland, YNU Group, Inc. Owner.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Halloween Treats Barbie at Pathmark - $9.99

Pathmark on Aramingo Avenue had TWO Halloween Treats Barbie dolls available - a "Blonde" one and an "AA" one. They were displayed, two of each, side-by-side in rows as shown in this photo:




Happy (Early) Halloween!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Poll Results In: Susie Wins

The results of the "Whose Doll Photos Should be Submitted for a Virtual Halloween Party" poll are in.

Drumroll ... Susie wins!

Susie received 20 votes. Janay received 9 votes. Emerald received 7 votes. Barbie received 4 votes. The four contestants gathered to take a photo. Susie asked Tyr (aka Randy here in East Philly) to pose with her in the second photo.




Susie Wins!




"Thanks, Randy! Thanks Readers for voting for me!"

Friday, September 11, 2009

My Scene Hollywood Bling Dolls Seen at Kmart

Thursday afternoon, I stopped by the Center City Kmart on my way home and saw this series of My Scene dolls, Hollywood Bling:



so I photographed them to present here. The Hollywood Bling dolls are one of the 2009 My Scene waves (series of a fashion doll set). Fans of this line should look for these dolls now.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Mixis Sale: Sunshine Dolls $29.99; Outfits $15.00

Great news for Mixis fans who want to complete their Sunshine Doll set OR their Inspired Clothing collection: from now until the end of the year, YNU Group has these dolls and outfits for sale. The Sunshine Dolls - Emerald, Houda, Opal, and Rosa - will be $29.99 while the Inspired Clothing line will each cost $15. This sale works ONLY through the Mixis website and ONLY if you enter the promo code 'mixisrock.'

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Help! Sending Dolls to a Virtual Halloween Party

I've received an invitation to send some dolls to a virtual Halloween party. So I took some photos and now I am trying to decide WHOSE photo(s) should be used for this gothic/horror party. I have photos of Mattel Jazz Dancer Barbie, YNU Group Mixis Emerald, Integrity Studio It Janay, and R&D Dolls Tokyo Trendy Susie who is accompanied by Bbi Andromeda Tyr in one photo.

So I ask you, which set of photos (Barbie, Emerald, Janay, or Susie) should I use. Or if you want to mix them up, please note which four photos from the sets, I should use.

The photos can be seen in Webshots folder.

Thanks for your help in this matter.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Three Integrity Playline Dolls



Integrity Fashion Fling Alysa, Integrity Studio It Janay, and Integrity Studio It Janay, left to right

I'm showing these three dolls because

1. the first doll - Alysa is my favorite with this face mold; I love her curly red hair and tawny complexion.

2. the middle doll - Janay - has the Alysa face mold in a darker brown complexion. She is the ONLY Janay with this face mold and complexion combination. I think the combination gives her an Ameriasian look.

3. the last doll - Janay - has a striking dark complexion with green eyes, coral-painted lips, and reddish hair.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Kayla's "Skin" Problem

Has anyone ever seen Mattel dolls with "ashy face" problems?




I have a Kayla and a Lea with "ashy face" problems. Both faces seem to have "dry" skin or "talcum powder leaks." The Cali Girl Lea has the powder scent so I can reason that she is leaking talcum powder. Only at her face. However, the other scented dolls from that series, Cali Girl Christie and Cali Girl Summer, do NOT have ashy faces. Christie has been deboxed, but Summer has never been taken from her box.





Fashion Fever Kayla from Wave C also has this ashy, powder leak face.





The Cali Girl dolls, Christie, Lea, and Summer and Fashion Fever Kayla all have "Made in China" on their 2004 dated boxes.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Takara Schoolgirls and MABA High School

Four Takara schoolgirls - Tamaki, Ferice, Mitsuki, and Kisara - huddle to discuss a difficult situation in a MABA High School classroom.

Tamaki (red hair, navy beret), Mitsuki (seated, black hair), and Kisara (brown hair pulled back with rubber band are from the 2003 Jenny Calendar Girl series while blonde Ferice is from the 1999 Angels Garden International School series.

I will write about the MABA High School in a separate post; I'll leave photos of the box front and back here for now.


Tamaki, Ferice, Mitsuki, and Kisara




Front of the MABA Barbie High School box




Back of the MABA Barbie High School box

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Pole Dancing Child Dancer by Gizmodo

I need to check this on Snopes.com - report of a pole dancing child doll.

One word: bizarre.

I mean, it's not even an adult doll dancing.

What can I say? It's late, but that's what I thought when I saw the photo. If for some reason - bad economy affecting sanity, so on - parents purchased a pole dancer doll for their child, couldn't they at least have an adult doll dancer? Seems beyond gross and sick to have a child dancer. Eeewwww!

By the way, Snopes had nothing on "pole dancer doll" so I assume this is a genuine item.

New Momokos Got Me Crying - Almost

News from Ozeki San at GoGoMomoko Yahoo Group:

New Momokos for Fall 2009.

The fourth doll from the left, Eitizu Twinkle. First, she is wearing a black motorcyle style jacket similar to one I had a few years ago. Then she has long, crimpy black hair and straight bangs. She seems to have a different face screening. And finally, her outfit is sooo cute.

Tissues aside, I have to get work and double work.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Diorama Dreaming

I've been inspired by some awesome doll and action figure dioramas - mainly by these blogs: Creazione and Super Cool Doll House as well as other projects by other collectors. Now what would I do, if I were to do dioramas?

Oddly enough, I want a garage for my people. I am thinking a two or three shelf unit that could hold the various cars and other vehicles I have.

Then I would like to do a costume store at Halloween - with costumes on racks and figures trying out costumes. That would be fun for Halloween display.

I'd like a park scene, too. And a bus scene. A mall scene. A pub. A nightclub. Various rooms for specific dolls ....

But I'll need space. So I need to gather the stuff for these projects AND to make space for at least ONE scene this month. The garage would be simplest to do, but the costume shop seems more fun. Maybe I'll gather my current items for each and see which is the most do-able.

Diorama dreaming ... on a late summer's evening.