You can see additional photos of the Young Sweethearts' Wishing Well Park in my Webshots folder titled Mattel Playsets.
Additional items I would use to extend and to improve this playset are 1 or 2 "grass" mats for flooring, at least two 20" tall "park" backdrops (photos of a park) that would look better than the current backdrop of other dolls draped across boxes, etc, and additional "trees." Perhaps the Young Sweethearts tree is a fake tree amongst some "real" ones. Perhaps? Ha. Okay, it definitely is a fake tree. Perhaps I could cover some empty Mattel Fashion Fever tubes with papier-mâché to simulate tree bark? What to do for lower branches though? Need to consider it.
Any thoughts or additional ideas for the Park? Let me know.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Michael Puts Together the Wishing Well
Mattel Michael of the Young Sweethearts attempts to put together the Wishing Well Park with a little help from his new friends - Integrity TJ, Volks Who's That Girl Kana (aka Kat), Sekiguchi Momoko, Aoshima/Skynet Girls' Mission Mai, Volks Who's That Girl Kana, and Petworks Momoko going clockwise.
Friday, April 2, 2010
New Momoko Doll: City in the Sea
Thanks to Rudi's post on R&D Spotlight, I now know that Petworks Dolls is on Twitter. And guess what's new? City in the Sea Momoko.
Her mouth differs from the Momokos that I have; the vibrant red color seems to extend below her natural bottom lip so she seems to pout. Her hair color has two-tones - ashy blond and some darker color - burgundy, black? The outfit has a sailor top and short bottoms. She is cute, but I can't say that I am overwhelmed to buy her. Still, it's interesting to know.
Her mouth differs from the Momokos that I have; the vibrant red color seems to extend below her natural bottom lip so she seems to pout. Her hair color has two-tones - ashy blond and some darker color - burgundy, black? The outfit has a sailor top and short bottoms. She is cute, but I can't say that I am overwhelmed to buy her. Still, it's interesting to know.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Rosa and the Mystery Philly Church
When we couldn't find Rosa's original shrug sweater, Harley Davidson Ken aka Keith insisted that she borrow his leather jacket. (I know ... aw, ain't he cute? Well, he is a Ken. Gentleman is his middle name. And Rosa is a very pretty girl ;-P Barbie beware?)
During our trip, Rosa fell in love with a stone church so I photographed it. Does anyone from or familiar with Philadelphia recognize it? Only one clue allowed: the church is in the Northwest area of the city.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Hunk from My Past: Handsome Michael of the Young Sweethearts
Meet Michael of the Young Sweethearts. He's 12" of slim cuteness from 1976. Melissa, his former girlfriend, is missing so he's SINGLE. He's in great shape considering he's lived with me for over 30 years.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Bewitched and Bewildered by Boxes, Part 2
Who doesn't love action movies?
The go-go-go pacing, the high-speed car chases, the boom and mushroom of explosions, balletic dances with bullets a la John Woo, whodunnit and maybe whydunnit sometimes conclude with the protagonist triumphant. Applause. Good plots are nice, but if the action clicks, we can suspend disbelief or laugh at the logic defying scenes. Action movies are fun. So when an action figure box captures some of that excitement, who can throw away that box?
Behold - a Sideshow Collectibles box works its mojo: the box front incorporates art from the then-current movie posters. Relevant details such as the movie series and title, Goldfinger, and the actors are provided as well as the company name, and the size of the figure. Please note also that the box contains small parts NOT suitable for small children. Oh and to the right in modest red letters, we have the name of the character inside the box, Odd Job, and the actor playing that role, Harold Sakata.
Next, we open the front flap to find the movie title, its plot, and the characters along with the actors playing those roles. And yes, that is Odd Job the action figure seated. [Note on the opposite side of the box there is a clear window that would show the action figure along with any accessories created for him. Since I opened the box and mislaid the inner liner, I will not photograph that side.]
The box back gives us Mr. Sakata's biography, photos of both the action figure AND the actor, the villain gadget - his bowler hat - and more information about the James Bond series.
Last, a side view of the box and Odd Job again! So much information and so beautifully laid out. This box is a keeper for its pop culture value. At least until or unless I find Mr. Odd Job a better protective "home."
P.S. Odd Job is not full-figured as he looks clothed. Under his jacket and shirt, he wears a "fat suit". I will post photos of the figure and his clothes in another post.
The go-go-go pacing, the high-speed car chases, the boom and mushroom of explosions, balletic dances with bullets a la John Woo, whodunnit and maybe whydunnit sometimes conclude with the protagonist triumphant. Applause. Good plots are nice, but if the action clicks, we can suspend disbelief or laugh at the logic defying scenes. Action movies are fun. So when an action figure box captures some of that excitement, who can throw away that box?
Behold - a Sideshow Collectibles box works its mojo: the box front incorporates art from the then-current movie posters. Relevant details such as the movie series and title, Goldfinger, and the actors are provided as well as the company name, and the size of the figure. Please note also that the box contains small parts NOT suitable for small children. Oh and to the right in modest red letters, we have the name of the character inside the box, Odd Job, and the actor playing that role, Harold Sakata.
Next, we open the front flap to find the movie title, its plot, and the characters along with the actors playing those roles. And yes, that is Odd Job the action figure seated. [Note on the opposite side of the box there is a clear window that would show the action figure along with any accessories created for him. Since I opened the box and mislaid the inner liner, I will not photograph that side.]
The box back gives us Mr. Sakata's biography, photos of both the action figure AND the actor, the villain gadget - his bowler hat - and more information about the James Bond series.
Last, a side view of the box and Odd Job again! So much information and so beautifully laid out. This box is a keeper for its pop culture value. At least until or unless I find Mr. Odd Job a better protective "home."
P.S. Odd Job is not full-figured as he looks clothed. Under his jacket and shirt, he wears a "fat suit". I will post photos of the figure and his clothes in another post.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Bewitched and Bewildered by Boxes, Part 1
Much of my doll clutter is caused by boxes. I have given away dolls, figures, clothes, books, etc. but there is chemistry between me and various boxes that causes me to hold onto the empty box even after I have removed the doll. Wait, chemistry is the wrong word. I do throw out some boxes easily. Clear blister packs - once cut open, I throw out. Those hard plastic shells, I don't even use for sorting small stuff. I'd likely cut my hand against the cut part if I were to re-use them. Flimsy cardboard boxes, those go out as well.
Keepsake boxes such as those with YNU Group's Mixis dolls or Integrity's Fashion Royalty dolls or R&D's Egyptian Susie, well, those are keepers. They are NOT junk. Those good quality boxes - meant to last - protect my dolls from dust, etc.
What's left then? You guessed it: those hybrid cardboard boxes with clear plastic "windows." Boing! That's the sound of Cupid's arrow zapping my heart.
Sure, I wanted the doll in the box. Really. No sense in buying an empty box, is there? But why keep the box after it has served its purpose of catching my eye and causing me to part with my money? Nostalgia? Maybe. I look at the box and recapture the moment I saw it on the shelf or removed it from a shipping box. Sentimentality about the doll's first "home?" Perhaps. Usually, I don't have a case or alternate box waiting for when I set aside the doll. Returning the doll to her box makes sense. So, I covered nostalgia, sentimentality, and practicality there. Anything left? Mais oui. The box itself.
The box can continues to enhance the doll's magic.
Let's examine a "vintage" Tuesday Taylor box for how the box "works."
First, I read the doll's name, her wave or series, and her manufacturer. This identifying information is at the box bottom. Then I turn around the box to find the manufacturer's number for the doll and the date of production. I add that information to my database.
Second, the box informs me what makes this doll distinct from other Tuesday Taylors. Well, this is Suntan Tuesday Taylor and her gimmick - um - difference is that she tans. (She did for a while.)
Oh and third, the box shows other dolls in the series. Whoo hoo! Tuesday has a little sister and a boyfriend. Two more dolls for me to buy.
Additional items for the doll such as the "sold separate" fashions appear on the box side. Yay! More visual stimulation to cause me to part with yet more of my money. And the lovely anticipation before I make additional purchases. Which outfit or outfits to get? Imagine getting all of them.
(Note: I only bought 2 Tuesday Taylor fashions. No matter how attractive the fashions were, when I was young, I bought dolls first; I could make clothes or ask my Mom to make them for me. Still, the ready to wear fashions could influence what I or Mom could create for the doll.)
Having unveiled the magic of this doll box, can I let it go? Yes. After I remove at least ONE of the doll photos to use in a diorama for this doll. And I'll hold on to the side tab showing photos of Tuesday Taylor and Taylor Jones (the African American version of the standard Tuesday). What an outcome. What a triumph! One less doll box to bewitch and bewilder. Someday, one day, there might be a clear path ....
Keepsake boxes such as those with YNU Group's Mixis dolls or Integrity's Fashion Royalty dolls or R&D's Egyptian Susie, well, those are keepers. They are NOT junk. Those good quality boxes - meant to last - protect my dolls from dust, etc.
What's left then? You guessed it: those hybrid cardboard boxes with clear plastic "windows." Boing! That's the sound of Cupid's arrow zapping my heart.
Sure, I wanted the doll in the box. Really. No sense in buying an empty box, is there? But why keep the box after it has served its purpose of catching my eye and causing me to part with my money? Nostalgia? Maybe. I look at the box and recapture the moment I saw it on the shelf or removed it from a shipping box. Sentimentality about the doll's first "home?" Perhaps. Usually, I don't have a case or alternate box waiting for when I set aside the doll. Returning the doll to her box makes sense. So, I covered nostalgia, sentimentality, and practicality there. Anything left? Mais oui. The box itself.
The box can continues to enhance the doll's magic.
Let's examine a "vintage" Tuesday Taylor box for how the box "works."
First, I read the doll's name, her wave or series, and her manufacturer. This identifying information is at the box bottom. Then I turn around the box to find the manufacturer's number for the doll and the date of production. I add that information to my database.
Second, the box informs me what makes this doll distinct from other Tuesday Taylors. Well, this is Suntan Tuesday Taylor and her gimmick - um - difference is that she tans. (She did for a while.)
Oh and third, the box shows other dolls in the series. Whoo hoo! Tuesday has a little sister and a boyfriend. Two more dolls for me to buy.
Additional items for the doll such as the "sold separate" fashions appear on the box side. Yay! More visual stimulation to cause me to part with yet more of my money. And the lovely anticipation before I make additional purchases. Which outfit or outfits to get? Imagine getting all of them.
(Note: I only bought 2 Tuesday Taylor fashions. No matter how attractive the fashions were, when I was young, I bought dolls first; I could make clothes or ask my Mom to make them for me. Still, the ready to wear fashions could influence what I or Mom could create for the doll.)
Having unveiled the magic of this doll box, can I let it go? Yes. After I remove at least ONE of the doll photos to use in a diorama for this doll. And I'll hold on to the side tab showing photos of Tuesday Taylor and Taylor Jones (the African American version of the standard Tuesday). What an outcome. What a triumph! One less doll box to bewitch and bewilder. Someday, one day, there might be a clear path ....
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