Lost a Follower, Gained (an Improved) Perspective

I had had 132* followers (minus about 3 duplicate ones). Cool huh?

Recently though my Followers count dropped to 131 followers. Oh, no! What happened? I mean, you can stop "following" without removing the "following" link. Someone felt strongly enough, that he or she wanted me to know that. And I thank that person for the act because that act made me realize how bad a blogger I had become. Missed posts. Missed promises. Shame.

I have to remember that I need to earn my Followers. Keep you entertained and/or informed. Or else, you will leave. And I will miss you.

So it's back to writing and posting for me.



* Actually, I had fewer than that because about three people either liked the blog enough to "follow" twice OR they forgot that they had "followed" before. Shrug.

Hurricane Irene, Clear Modem, and the Woe for One PhillyCollector

Quick, before Hurricane Irene reduces my Clear modem lights: I am among the East Coast DAF bloggers physically located in the path of Hurricane Irene. I will say this: I was here FIRST! Not that I or anyone else can do a lot against a weather juggernaut like Irene. Sigh.

Sad thing - aside from the obvious - is that I just got a Clear connection. Can I say, no fair.

Hope everyone stays safe and that your collectibles do not get damaged.

Mystery FR doll

"." wrote to ask about these dolls.

I recognize the doll on the left as Paparazzi Bait Adele. She is not a Barbie doll, but an Integrity Toys Fashion Royalty doll. Does anyone recognize the other doll? Please let us know.

Thanks in advance.

Earthquake in Philadelphia - Folks, We're Okay!

We had an earthquake today. Philly. Yes, as in Philadelphia, PA.

Sigh. I missed feeling it - noticing it anyway because I stepped out of the room. Darn. I had to miss it. Maybe next time?

Streaked Skippers (Hem, Hair Streaked, That is)

Here are the answers to which Skipper has which color streak in her hair:

Barbie Sisters' Bike for Two Dolls - Skipper and Chelsea – pink streaks

Skipper and Chelsea - Sisters Sleep Out – blue streaks

Barbie Sisters' Beauty Fun Skipper Doll – purple streaks

Now here's a question I have for you Skipper fans: do the color streaks have any particular meaning or are they just different colors?

At Last ... Articulated Skipper 2011 ... Well, Sort of ....

Finally! She’s here … a jointed knee Skipper! Whooo hooo! Yay! Stomping of feet and clapping of hands. Okay, her arms are slightly bent at the elbow – no joints, alas – but still, there is some progress. Oh and the younger girl, Chelsea (formerly Kelly) also has jointed knees. Someone … cough Vanessa cough … might wonder why the sisters did not have jointed elbows as well. I mean, Mattel gave the shorter Flavas girls (Happy D and Kiyoni Brown) jointed arms. Why not Skipper and Chelsea? Oh, well, I guess baby steps are needed, hmm? Today knees … tomorrow elbows …

To celebrate the semi-articulated Skipper, let’s show off our current Skipper know how (hint, hint Skipper Collector, come on down!) Which current Skipper has a pink streak of hair? Which Skipper has a blue streak? And which Skipper has a purple streak?

Answer will be posted tomorrow ...

Designing Joes Decide: They Can Create Their Own Mandals

They won't admit, no, but look and see ...

What was that about imitation?

Sandals and Mandals by Limbe Dolls, Part Two

Power Team guys: Eugene (left) and Wilson (right)


Who were the models in the first "Sandals and Mandals by Limbe Dolls? Let's note them by the footwear they borrowed for this occasion:

Pink-white lace w. lace up worn by former Princess of Japan (FPoJ) and Flavas Kiyoni Brown

Red-white-royal blue lace up worn by Izzy-Never-Bella

Black-white polka dot slides worn by Beach Blast Nikki

Brown braid gladiator mandals worn by Legolas Ken

Yes, you guessed it: Limbe Dolls sandals can be worn by other dolls and action figures. Need new sandals for your big-foot beach Barbies? Likewise, some Kens can borrow from the Power Team guys' casual wardrobe. Mandals, whoo hooo. While Mattel has made Ken some in plastic, these Limbe Dolls mandals are softer, more fashionable cloth. However, Limbe Dolls sandals are too wide for Momokos, Susies, Takara Jenny and friends, and similar small feet dolls.

What comments did the East Philly crew make about Limbe Dolls sandals?

"I like the colors, the comfortable fit, and the arch support," Izzy states.

"The masculine colors," the Power Team guys, Eugene and Wilson agree. "The simple design."

"The unusual braiding of the gladiator mandals," Legolas Ken said. "It takes a brave doll to wear mandals. Also, Kiyoni and I loved how the sandal colors contrasted with our coloring."

"Oh, yes, the pink and white lace patterned one," FPoJ and Kiyoni add that those mules make them feel more feminine. FPoJ likes the way the pale pink almost merges with her fair legs while Kiyoni likes how the pale pink and white "pops" against her dark complexion.

"Now those, I was going to paint with some silver or gold nail polish. Have a neat pair of metallic lace sandals. That's the way that I would makeover the lacey ones." Izzy inserts.

"Oh, no! Don't let her, D7ana!" FPoJ and Kiyoni plea.

Now in spite of the general enthusiasm for the LimbeDolls' footwear, there were a few requests and caveats.

"Girly girls, you two. Keep your sissy pink. Lace up sandals are tricky to wear anyway because they fall down too much." Izzy casts her eyes on the black with white dots slip ons. "I'm trying those on next ...."

"Are you kidding, kiddie?" Beach Blast Nikki asks as she moves away from Izzy. "My pink toe nail polish looks even better with these black-white satiny slippers. Try getting them off my feet."

"No thanks." Izzy adds sotto voce, "They probably stink now."

"Ladies ... pink is good for girls. But do you think the gladiator tie-ups look masculine enough for us?" Eugene asks. (Eugene is the Power Team guy in the red-navy color blocked mandals; Wilson wears the black criss-crossed ones.) Wilson notes that civilian Kens can revel in fashion but soldiers and military personnel favor more traditional apparel.

Legolas Ken steps to the front and raises both arms. "Enough. Wilson speaks for himself, His statements are not necessarily those of any of the other Power Team figures or other DAFs. Also, I think we have finished our review of Limbe Dolls footwear for this time."

"Thanks for your patience, all."


Curious about the mandal sensation? Here are some links for additional reading:

Mel Gibson's Mandals

NY Daily News photos

Oh and a big THANKS to Limbe Dolls and her generosity.

Sandals and Mandals by Limbe Dolls

Look who's wearing Limbe Dolls footwear? Two photos today; better photos and chatter tomorrow - big grin.

Let's see who knows their fashion dolls.

Johnny Has a Page on FaceBook!

Anyone remember my ethnic dollar store doll, Johnny? Well, someone chose him as their FB graphic. Check him here.

Who'd have thought it?

Guess the Gifts from Limbe Dolls

Surprise gifts came my way. Some of my guys and gals are delighted. Others feel a bit peeved. Well, that can happen when there are so many different sizes of playscale characters. Want to guess what I received? Okay, I'm leaving three clues:

1.) This is the season for wearing these items


2.) These items are brightly colored and comfortable


3.) These items were created during the development of a new instructional video series Limbe Dolls will produce for September


Bring on the guesses ...

Publish Post

Blog Jog Day! AUG 7, 2011 - Query Regarding Subscribe Widget for Blind Readers

Dear Blog Jog Day participants AND any PhillyCollector readers:

I would like to add the alt image attribute to my Blogger Subscribe widget. Any suggestions or links that would help me fix that widget, I would appreciate. I would like to make my website more accessible for blind readers.

Thanks in advance for any answers.

Happy Blog Jog Evening (smile)!

Blog Jog Day! AUG 7, 2011

Welcome to Blog Jog Day! Please enjoy my site then click over to Emily White at http://emilytwhite.blogspot.com/ to see what the next Blog has to offer! Lost in the links? You can always go back to the main Blog Jog Day Blog at http://blogjogday.blogspot.com and find a new link to jog from.

Thank you for stopping by my site!

Teresa's Birthday Guessed! Ding! Ding! We Have a Winner!

Everyone, let's take time to applaud Frannie of Thrift Store Dolls. She submitted the correct date for Teresa's birthday: July 19 (1988 - but we don't have to keep that part, lol).

What does Frannie win for her investigation/recollection? A good condition, vintage Francie outfit called "Tennis Tunic." So, Frannie, please send your mailing address to me at d7ana (@) yahoo.com.

This August, I will have contests for my Followers aka Allies so stop by. My way of saying, "Thanks" for your time and collaborations.

August Heat vs. Our Playscale Pals

August. Sultry summer time. Pfft.

Dog days of summer. Hot, humid atmosphere. Thunderstorms bringing relief. Mego melt? Try any manufacturer's melt - excessive heat is dangerous to all plastic and/or vinyl DAFs. Direct sunlight - no, no. Please be careful about exposing your DAFs to direct sunlight AND please try to keep them cool. Plastic joints and seams will melt and make it harder to pose.

Denise Van Patten has suggestions for protecting your DAFs in general safe as well as specific suggestions for Barbie types. Additional reading can be found at
1st Collectibles.

Hot weather is tough enough for sweating humans, but it's brutal and fatal for our plastic and vinyl folks, too. Take care.