T.J. and Two Vampires

T.J. has a skeleton in her hands. She's setting the stage for the 2010 EPDAF* Halloween Party.

Barnabas recounts events past to T.J. while [No]Angelus prepares to tweak her hair. Or does she sense him ready to grasp her ponytail?

Happy Halloween to All!

*East Philadelphia Doll and Action Figure

Are All the Asian-Produced Dolls Slim Like Momoko? See Lady's Mission

You’ve seen how many produced-for-Asian-markets fashion dolls have small builds. If you are familiar with MaBa’s Barbie and Takara’s Jenny, you might think Asian market fashion dolls all have small body frames.

Blant! That’s the buzzer ringing. Wrong. Some female Asian market action dolls or articulated fashion dolls have sturdy frames. The Aoshima/Skynet Ladies Mission and Girls' Mission action dolls as well as the Takara/BBi have definite weight to them. Nothing missish or delicate about them. Plus, they have poseability.

The Lady’s Mission action dolls have full names, numbers, and occupations. Their faces are usually bland. Their hair can be smooth and flat like No. 21 shown below or rough and coarse like that of Kelly Jackson, Lady's Mission Slim Body, No. 4 Basic Infantry. Let’s look at Aoshima/Skynet action doll from Madam Ryu Reika, No. 21 who is a “Street princess.”

 

P.S. Madam Ryu Reika comes with two formal dresses, one a blue print mini and the other a long red Qi Pao (cheongsam or mandarin gown) and two pairs of high heeled shoes. The "leather" underpants she wears in these photos is part of her original outfit.

Additional photos of this action doll are here in my Webshots.

2011 Ken Previews - See Charles' and Jef's Websites!

Charles of Charles' Doll Pages has some gorgeous photos and updates about some of the 2011 Kens. Do check his website.


Next, Jef at Keeping Ken has information about a Sweet Talking Ken who wouldn't appeal to me, but who might appeal to some. This Ken repeats in his voice, what the person "playing with" him wants Ken to say. I always thought the thrill of being with another person was to have that person's comments, etc. I could always tell myself whatever I want to hear without using another person as a puppet. Poor Ken.


Then again, Ken tends to break some expectations of how a man should act.


Shaving Fun Ken, though, I would snap up as soon as I could. Who can resist a bearded Ken?

Momoko and Similar-Sized Dolls, Part 2

I am adding back and side view photos of the dolls shown in the Momoko and Similar-Sized Dolls

Momoko and Similar-Sized Dolls

In a previous post, I uploaded photos showing the bare bodies of some larger 1:6 scale dolls and female action figures. In this post, I want to show variations in some smaller 1:6 scale dolls - the Momokos, Susies, Volks, and Azone dolls. (A comparable sized doll, Takara's Jenny, does not appear because the first Momokos, the Petworks Momokos, use the SAJ or Super Action Jenny body.) These photos show from left to right:

Petworks Momoko 2002, R&D Susie, Petworks/R&D Goth Girl Momoko 2003, Sekiguchi Momoko, Azone Reina Sarafan a la Mode, and Volks Who's That Girl? Kana.

(Note that the Sekiguchi Momoko is the shortest at around 10" tall.)

The second photo has a closer look of the dolls' different joints, etc. Of the four shown here, Kana has the prettiest and the most flexible articulation. Susie has the prettiest, most-realistic face though. Azone Reina has the fullest breasts.

These dolls can share some Barbie fashions although the later teen Skipper fashions from 2000 fit them better.

Avon Rose Splendor Barbie Doll on Sale

Avon Barbie dolls anyone?

Here is a link to Avon Rose Splendor Barbie Doll. A Norristown Avon representative has these dolls on sale. There's an African American one and a Caucasian one. Interesting. There aren't usually many Asian Avon dolls, but the lack of a Hispanic doll for this issue surprises me. Now that Hispanics are the largest minority group in the U.S. .... hmm ....

New Bodies for Snatching! iCarly Dolls and Poseable Possibility

Need I write more? More bodies, more bodies!

Yes, it is creepy of me, but then it's also Halloween month.

Target Exclusives and Nod to Charles of My Doll Diary

Charles of My Doll Diary recently wrote an article about "new" Target exclusive Barbie dolls. Since Charles has beautiful photos of the blond and the brunette dolls, I won't repeat their photos here. This past weekend, I saw these dolls at two Target stores in Philadelphia, PA. I am happy to report that, yes, the Black Barbie Glitz doll does exist. Her face sculpt seems a little shorter than the Desiree one and her complexion is light-medium brown.

There are also Target exclusive "closets" or three-outfit sets.

Blast from My Past or East Coast Borrowing Friday Flashback Theme

This post arrives with a nod to Smidge House, author of the ever-fascinating Friday Flashback posts. Instead of reminiscing, I've found old diary entries about dolls. Typed them and leave them here as Blasts from My Past.

If you had asked me before I found an old diary, if I were conscious of the Jem dolls back in the 1980s, I would have said, just a little bit. In my early work days, I spent more time doing social things that – alas – took money away from collecting. However, after reading one entry, I realized that I’ve been “blogging” about dolls a lot longer than I thought. That thought brought a smile to my face. Here's one bit about Hasbro's Jem.


Saturday, May 16, 1987
Kiddie City has the new Jem dolls. Rock’n Curler Jem (ugh!), Gold’n Glitter Jem (if not for the gold threads in her hair, the best looking one) and another one with pink/blonde hair that I’ve forgotten the title of. Then they’ve added new characters: Clash of the Misfits, Video, Danse, and Raya of the Holograms (the first plays the Holograms video tapes, the second plans their chorography [sic] – I like her best – and the third actually backs up the Holograms on the drums.
Alarm went off. It’s 6:41.
Back to the new dolls. Gold’n Glitter Rio is mmm-good-looking. I saw Kimber and Aja (I have the latter – need Jem, Kimber and Shana) but not Shana I’ve never seen her there. I don’t know whether I should ask or if I should check back at Kay-Bee Toys – they had her.”

EPPP Seek New Storm/Actress from Five Contenders

Update: the Management at the East Philadelphia Playscale Playhouse or EPPP sought an understudy/replacement for local actress, Storm, a ToyBiz action and fashion doll. The votes tallied for the potential Storm replacement/understudy were

Candi 13
Flaunt It 9
Janay 4
Other 3

While any other group might have chosen Candi or Flaunt It, the EPPP Management became intrigued by the additional entries, Ebony and Kida, submitted by fellow doll and action figure bloggers, RoxanneRoxanne and Ms. Leo, respectively. (Yes, the EPPP Management is almost as fickle as on-again, off-again actress Storm.) Here are links showing those new candidates:

Ebony

Kida

The EPPP Management now request your assistance again. Which of the five models do you feel should be the new face of Storm?

Teresa, Teresa - Barbie's Hispanic Friend

Mattel introduced Teresa in 1988.

Below are Teresas in my collection:

Teresa in the 1990s: Wet and Wild, Walmart Shopping Time, Perfect Pink, and Butterfly Art Teresa. Most Teresas had golden or light brown complexions with dark or black hair. Her eye color could be blue as in Walmart Shopping Time Teresa or hazel/green as in Butterfly Art Teresa, but usually Teresa's eye color was brown.

Moving forward ten years. Mattel now provides hair and complexion variety to Teresa as shown in the Fashion Fever line dolls. Teresas can now have blond hair and fair/light complexions as well as blue eyes.

More Teresas with different face sculpts - including two new ones:

Other Hispanic Dolls and Action Figures

Below are some non-Mattel Hispanic dolls or action figures that I own. I don't have the Selena or the Ricky Martin dolls so they are not included in this list.

BBi Perfect Body Female Action Figure
Perfect Body

BBi Male Action Figure
Sargent Mendez

Chic Boutique
Chicas a la Moda Arianna

Chic Boutique
Glamour Girl Flower Power

Get Real Girl
Gabi

Get Set Club
Isabella

Hasbro
G. I. Joe

Haschel Toys
Olga Tanon

Hot Toys
Bronze TrueType Figures

Integrity
Alejandro from the Janay line

Integrity
Alysa from the Janay line

Integrity
Candi

Jakks Pacific
GirlForce Bianca

Jakks Pacific
Fashion Doll: Muneca de Mode Catalina

Jakks Pacific
Fashion Doll: Muneca de Mode Damita

Lanard
I-Girl Rio

Play Along Ltd., Division of Jakks Pacific
Chanel of the Cheetah Girls

Play Along Ltd., Division of Jakks Pacific
Dorinda  of the Cheetah Girls

Playmates Toys Inc.
Ever Girl

R&D Dolls
Susie

Woolworth's
Manuel

Yaboom
Christina Aguilera

YNU Group Inc.
Mixis Rosa

Please write if you are aware of other Hispanic fashion dolls or action figures.

My Versatile Blogger Award - Thanks, Debbie!

Debbie of Black Doll Collector bestowed one of The Versatile Bloggers Awards on me because she has found my blog informative and comprehensive for playscale dolls. Aw shucks. But yes, yes, yes! I do accept the Award. Thanks for the honor.

According to the rules of this award, I am supposed  to share 7 things about myself. (Yeah, like you don't hear enough of Dana, D7ana, Dana - LOL) Next steps:

1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award. (See blog title above and blog links below)
2. Share 7 things about yourself. (See below)
3. Pass the award along to 15 other bloggers who you recently discovered and think are fabulous. (Below)
4. Contact the bloggers you chose and let them know about the award. Now to start notifying the bloggers. Hmmm ... that action will take some time, LOL.

Dana's 7 Things:


1. Antique dolls feel creepy to me.
2. I could research play scale dolls and action figures all day. Surprised?
3. Writing helps me clarify thoughts and feelings.
4. I enjoy watching some cooking shows.
5. Reading cozy mysteries soothes an unsettled mind.
6. It’s fun to get around Philadelphia on public transit: yay, SEPTA.
7. Chocolate is a gift from Heaven. Hmmmmm ....


I'd like to pay The Versatile Blogger Award to the following bloggers:

1. Me-Noemi

2. Collecting Black Dolls

3. A Girl Named Beebo

4. Blog of Stench

5. Brooklyn Stars Forever

6. CorsetKitten

7. Dolls of Color

8. Fortress of Testicular Fortitude

9. iLhamology's Toys

10.  I-Luv-Dolls 

11. Lies Secrets Silence

12. Niel’s Dolls

13. Roxanne's Dolls

14. SmidgeHouse

15. ThriftStoreDolls

Thanks all!

Blog Award from Sil Noemi of Me-Noemi Blog

Sil Noemi has graciously bestowed a Sunshine blog award to me. Pretty photo, isn't it?



The rules are to keep the image and to show it in your blog then pass the prize to other 12 bloggers. Now I need to share 12 blogs. Note: to avoid repetition and more generously share the sites of seduction blogs I follow when I can, the blogs listed in these Award posts will NOT be the same.

1. Barbie Collector Obsession

2. Collecting 12 inch toys

3. Creazione

4. Juliana's Toy Collecting Tips

5. Las cositas de Nury

6. Milkshake a la Mode

7. MSJ's Doll Pit

8. R&D Spotlight

9. Squarepeg's Misc Musings

10. Super cool doll house

11. The Barbie-Queue

12. Thoughts on 1:6

Thanks all! Hope these links extend your reading pleasure.

New Large BFC, Ink. Dolls? Wish They Were Available Smaller

Fans of the larger BFC, Ink. dolls? Seems they have a boy and a new [Asian] girl doll. Links for the new two here:

BFC, Ink. Large Boy CJ    

BFC, Ink. New Large Girl

Wouldn't these be a welcome addition to the smaller BFC, Ink. dolls?

New Ken Book News

Jef Beck of the Keeping Ken website is publishing a book on Ken. The expected publish date is March 13, 2011 which will be Ken's 50th Birthday. Exciting news, hmmm? Yes!

The 2011 Ken - well, one of them - seems to be wearing a dark gray suit - oh! real guy clothes for Ken, whee hooo! But he looks a little too soft for my taste. Mushy mouth. Shrug. And a lot like some of the recent Kens issued already.

On Clearance at Walmart - Liv Pet Dolls, Moxie Girlz, and Charlie's Angels Kellys

Regarding the Liv dolls with their pets - hmmmm ... not bad.

Regarding the Moxie dolls - pass. Accessories look cheesy. Not keen on the big heads either.

Regarding the Charlie's Angels Kellys - tsk. Not to be prudish, but they look "tarted up." And $29.88 doesn't strike me as a clearance price.

Why Mattel? Why Artsy Swapping' Stylin'?

Let me say first, that I do not understand the Mattel Fashionistas Swapping' Stylin' dolls. Bratz created a similar type of doll, but they had three head choices for one body. (I think anyway ;-D) Here, there is a doll with an exchange-able head-body.

Why, I ask. Why? There is only ONE doll with Artsy's body. So WHY, WHY, WHY is she on a Swapping' Stylin' body?

Unless, there is going to be a new Fashionista with whom Artsy can share her body.

P.S. What happened to re-dressing dolls?