Monday, April 6, 2015

The Bunningtons with Playscale Figures

I want to demonstrate the size of the Bunningtons so I have Sal, a Power Team action figure, and Galleria (Raven) by Jakks Pacific hold them. Sal and Galleria are about 11.5" tall. Playscale.


M & C Toys Power Team Action figure holding set of 4 Mattel Bunningtons
M & C Toys Power Team Action figure holding set of 4 Mattel Bunningtons

Jakks Pacific Galleria holding 2 Mattel Bunningtons: tallest Father and shortest Brother
Jakks Pacific Galleria holding 2 Mattel Bunningtons: tallest Father and shortest Brother

I know: aaaawwww ....

I'm so glad I got them years ago.

National Tartan Day - Celebrating Scottish Americans

On April 4th 2008, President George Bush signed a Presidential Proclamation making April 6th National Tartan Day. I recently learned about this holiday when I checked for diversity month updates. I have no known Scottish roots (paging Dr. Henry Louis Gates); does that matter? No. Tartan is the cloth pattern associated with Scotland. I have two guys wearing tartan kilts. Here are my kilt-wearing guys, Tommy and High School Musical Ryan.


Mattel High School Musical Ryan and Mattel Scottish Tommy in kilts
Mattel High School Musical Ryan and Mattel Scottish Tommy in kilts


Mattel High School Musical Ryan wearing a kilt
Mattel High School Musical Ryan wearing a kilt

Back view of Mattel High School Musical Ryan's kilt
Mattel's version of a kilt, back view


Mattel Scottish Tommy wearing a kilt
Mattel Scottish Tommy in his kilt

Mattel has produced a few versions of Scottish-themed Barbies - 1981, 1991, 2006, 2009,  and 2011. (I had a Scottish Barbie, but I sold her many years ago.) They have also produced Merida from Disney's Brave and Monster High Lorna McNessie. If Mattel's version(s) of Scottish offend your tastes, try this link to a kilt pattern for G.I. Joe. The seamstresses among you can alter that pattern to fit Ken and/or other figures.

You can read more about Scottish Americans on Wikipedia. Or you can read more about Tartan Day celebrations in general. My favorite contributions from Scottish Americans are fried chicken, Campbell's soups, Kellogg's cereals, and some Doritos. Tasty and convenient!

I think I know what question you might have for these guys, but I'll wait to see if you do. If you have any comments or would like to share links to your Scottish dolls and/or action figures, please do so.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Happy Easter from D7ana and the Bunningtons!



No, I have not joined a rock group. Relax ... your ears are safe.

I was fuzzy about what to post for an Easter greeting so I borrowed jSarie's bunny theme. These four characters are the Bunningtons of Furryville by Mattel. With their height between 2 and nearly 3", they are the perfect size for your playscale figures who collect stuffed animals. The Bunningtons - Brother, Mother, Father, and Sister - are jointed at the shoulders so they can raise their arms.  They wear coordinated denim fashions suitable for gardening and for selling their goods in town.

From me and my playscale crew to you and yours, Happy Easter!

Thursday, April 2, 2015

April Themes: Easter, Tartans, Earth/Arbor Days, Administrative Professionals

Oh, it's April 2nd and early in the month. Time for a "themes of the month" post. Since no specific heritage is honored, I can pull over some topics I did not fully address last month: Spring and Spring Cleaning, Women's History Month, and Barbie. 

April also has these special dates:



5th is Easter Sunday

6th is National Tartan Day - to date, this is the only day recognizing Scottish Americans*

22nd is Earth Day 

23rd is Administrative Professionals Day

25th is Arbor Day

Organizing update aka Spring cleaning news: I've found Get Set Vanessa and Harley Davidson Barbie. Yay! Mystery Squad Barbie is still missing. Sigh. Then again, I found this playset, #3012-01 the Real Friends Shopping Mall by Geoffrey, Inc. circa 1999. It was distributed by Toys R Us. I'll share more photos of it later. A recent post on Mrs. Anderson's blog inspired me to check on it.







What are your plans for April topics? Let me know in the Comments ;-)


* that I am aware of

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

April Fool's Day - and a Marvel-ous Prank

I don't have an April Fool's Day prank, but I found this fun video review. Okay, the figure is smaller than playscale. The video left me with a smile. Marvel comics fans delight!



Oh and for a doll-related photo, here are two of my plastic shoe boxes.









Sunday, March 29, 2015

Organizing Update: Progress by Room

Update on the organizing project:


DOLL AND ACTION FIGURE ROOM
  •     Missing dolls: Get Set Vanessa, Harley D Barbie, Mystery Squad Barbie
  •     Sorting accessories by type (FUN); see photos below
  •     Where will I store loose dolls and action figures?

MY BEDROOM
  •     Storing most IKEA bags holding boxed DAFs here
  •     Need to sort loose dolls and action figures and accessories
  •     Need to list For Sale stuff


FRONT ROOM

  •     All bags holding DAFs have been removed from this area
  •     Storing cardboard boxes with doll magazines here




Playscale art supplies by Mattel, Re-Ment, Lanard
Playscale art supplies

Mattel, Chic Boutique costumes
Playscale costumes


Musical instruments by Mattel, Takara, Hasbro, Spinmaster, Play Along Ltd
Playscale Musical Instruments


Sports accessories by Mattel, M&C Toys, Get Real Girl, etc.
Playscale sports items

Note: I LOVE semi-clear plastic shoe boxes.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Mattel's That's So Raven Doll Body and Other Doll Bodies

Since I've been talking about Mattel's That's So Raven doll body lately I thought I'd share these photos to show her body next to some other doll bodies. I wish now that I had used a background with more contrast. Gray or dark blue perhaps.

Mattel Happy Family Grandmother, That's So Raven, and Nichelle from left to right
Mattel Happy Family Grandmother, That's So Raven, and Nichelle from left to right

Mattel Happy Family Grandmother has the widest waist. That's So Raven has the roundest legs. Shani friend Nichelle has the shortest torso and the longest legs.
yada

Back view Mattel Happy Family Grandmother, That's So Raven, and Nichelle from left to right
Mattel Happy Family Grandmother, That's So Raven, and Nichelle from left to right

Back view of the ladies.


Mattel My Scene Madison, That's So Raven, and Malibu Christie from left to right
Mattel My Scene Madison, That's So Raven, and Malibu Christie from left to right
That's So Raven flanked by My Scene Madison (left) and Malibu Christie (right). Turning the dolls around for the back view.

Back view Mattel My Scene Madison, That's So Raven, and Malibu Christie from left to right
Mattel My Scene Madison, That's So Raven, and Malibu Christie from left to right

Kenya World Kenya, Mattel That's So Raven, and Get Real Girl Gabi from left to right
Kenya World Kenya, Mattel That's So Raven, and Get Real Girl Gabi from left to right

Back view Kenya World Kenya, Mattel That's So Raven, and Get Real Girl Gabi from left to right
Back view Kenya World Kenya, Mattel That's So Raven, and Get Real Girl Gabi from left to right

I am glad that Mattel made the Raven doll body heavier.