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Sunday, June 14, 2015
Fashion Insider Ken Shares Traditional Father's Day Gifts
Happy Father's Day to all fathers.
The accessories for Mattel's Fashion Insider Ken Giftset from Robert Best's 2003 Barbie Fashion Model Collection struck me as examples of traditional Father's Day gifts. The only "traditional" pieces missing are a wallet, gloves, slippers, cuff links, and a grill. Now I am NOT critiquing the giftset; I bought it some 10+ years ago. I found it quaint and charming. Here are some photos of Ken and some gifts that he might have received.
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| Mattel's Fashion Insider Ken |
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| Common gifts for fathers - sunglasses, briefcase, and loafers |
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| Any dads who have NEVER received a suit, belt, or tie? |
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| Matching pants - or trousers - to be worn with the jacket |
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| Remember, men wear garters, too! |
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| Ken shows the back view of his boxers |
Last year, I posted a list of playscale fathers. If you missed it, you can find it here.
So, did any father's receive any on-traditional gifts? If so, please share what.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Sir Christopher Lee: May He Rest in Peace
Sir Christopher Lee: May He Rest in Peace
When I was young, I watched a lot of horror movies, especially Hammer Film Productions films. Think big-haired, bosomy damsels-in-distress, sneering, supercilious villains, and bright-eyed, guileless heroes in Gothic settings. Castles. Stormy skies. Menacing music. Lots of screams, on-screen and off. (Hey, I was young and that was a more innocent time.) Christopher Lee dominated those movies. Usually as Dracula or some other villain - but occasionally as the Good Guy - he strode his over 6 feet frame, wielded that baritone voice, and commanded our awe and attention. My sisters and I never tired of watching him on our black and white television.
BBC obituary
Plaid Stallion tribute
Here are links showing playscale Christopher Lee action figures. (Possibly there are more, but these are the ones I have seen.)
Distinctive Dummies Duc de Richleau as mentioned in this Fangoria article by Ken W. Hanley
Hammer Films Dracula as shown in this review by Ron Hatchell
Hasbro Count Dooku as shown in this review by @lex Gen X 1:6 Hardcore of Toyhaven
Sideshow Collectibles Scaramanga
Here are photos of a Christopher Lee action figure in one of his not-Dracula roles, the villain Scaramanga from the 1974 James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun.
Please note: this Sideshow Collectibles figure is NOT part of my collection so I could not debox him. However, Customikey provides a guest review on Michael Crawford site I like how the guest reviewer posed the figure and how he compares the Sideshow figure with a Hasbro figure.
While I wish peace for the late Sir Christopher Lee, I am glad his playacting lives forever in film.
When I was young, I watched a lot of horror movies, especially Hammer Film Productions films. Think big-haired, bosomy damsels-in-distress, sneering, supercilious villains, and bright-eyed, guileless heroes in Gothic settings. Castles. Stormy skies. Menacing music. Lots of screams, on-screen and off. (Hey, I was young and that was a more innocent time.) Christopher Lee dominated those movies. Usually as Dracula or some other villain - but occasionally as the Good Guy - he strode his over 6 feet frame, wielded that baritone voice, and commanded our awe and attention. My sisters and I never tired of watching him on our black and white television.
BBC obituary
Plaid Stallion tribute
Here are links showing playscale Christopher Lee action figures. (Possibly there are more, but these are the ones I have seen.)
Distinctive Dummies Duc de Richleau as mentioned in this Fangoria article by Ken W. Hanley
Hammer Films Dracula as shown in this review by Ron Hatchell
Hasbro Count Dooku as shown in this review by @lex Gen X 1:6 Hardcore of Toyhaven
Sideshow Collectibles Scaramanga
Here are photos of a Christopher Lee action figure in one of his not-Dracula roles, the villain Scaramanga from the 1974 James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun.
Please note: this Sideshow Collectibles figure is NOT part of my collection so I could not debox him. However, Customikey provides a guest review on Michael Crawford site I like how the guest reviewer posed the figure and how he compares the Sideshow figure with a Hasbro figure.
While I wish peace for the late Sir Christopher Lee, I am glad his playacting lives forever in film.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
June Topics: Shelter Cats, Carribean Heritage, Fathers, Gay Pride, and Men
June is here so summer is coming soon. Not today though. What topics other than moving, selling dolls and accessories, and improving my photography skills will I cover - time permitting? Here's my short list:
Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Father's Day
Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month
Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Father's Day
Gay Pride Month
International Men's Month
As usual, I retain the right to bring up other matters ... like June brides, etc. Or short rambles about similar face sculpts. I used to think that Carnival Barbie and High School Musical Tiara Gold had the same face mold. Havilland Parker believes that they are different. So I photographed the two AND checked their head markings. Well, the markings differ.
Carnival Barbie's head is stamped: ©2003 on the top line and MATTEL, INC. on the second line
Tiara Gold's head is stamped: ©2008 MATTEL on one line
Here they are together.
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| Mattel Carnival Barbie (left) and High School Musical Tiara Gold (right) |
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| Profile of Carnival Barbie (left) and High School Musical Tiara Gold (right) |
What do you think? Separated at birth? Or do they look different?
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Books in Baggage - A Moving Post
Okay, I have doll books to pack. How should I do it?
Small-to-medium boxes, you might suggest.
What about something different? I've tucked some of my doll books away in a carry on luggage case. Yes, it's heavy, but I like being able to move a batch of books with one hand and a push.
There is no padding at the bottom of the case. I just added books and books.
I've managed to add some shorter, paperback books to the side.
To fill in the empty gap between the case top and the last book, I added two empty Mattel Barbie Fashion Fever tubes and stuffed a mosquito net to the side. Ta da! Book bounce reduction.
Now to zip close the case.
Neat, huh?
Small-to-medium boxes, you might suggest.
What about something different? I've tucked some of my doll books away in a carry on luggage case. Yes, it's heavy, but I like being able to move a batch of books with one hand and a push.
There is no padding at the bottom of the case. I just added books and books.
I've managed to add some shorter, paperback books to the side.
To fill in the empty gap between the case top and the last book, I added two empty Mattel Barbie Fashion Fever tubes and stuffed a mosquito net to the side. Ta da! Book bounce reduction.
Now to zip close the case.
Neat, huh?
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Packing the Motorcycles and Bikes - A Moving Post
Packing? Have awkward shaped items like cars or motorcycles to carry? I do. Here's how I solved that problem.
Ta da! That is a denim clothes hamper you see. It opens at the top so you can fill it with laundry. But as you can imagine, there is no laundry in mine. (Human laundry not being a PhillyCollector subject.) Noooo ... I have doll goodies inside.
Initially, I had two playscale cars and a slightly smaller-than-playscale golf cart along with two playscale, unadorned Christmas trees inside. I did not like the idea of the cars in such a loosely structured container so I removed them. I have other plans for them.
Oh! Yes, that's how opened inside of the denim hamper looks.
Is it just me or does that hamper base look vulnerable? It wants something soft and comfy. Something padded. Down goes a spare pillow. Nothing fancy. Something to keep the first item in protected - the Mattel Barbie Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Next, I wind a cloth under bed storage bag around those two bikes. Next in the bike line up is my Kawasaki motorcycle. I am placing a padded chair seat in next. There remains room for my Mattel Barbie bicycles and the Dinah-mite bike. I'll pad them and zip closed this bag.
Ta da! That is a denim clothes hamper you see. It opens at the top so you can fill it with laundry. But as you can imagine, there is no laundry in mine. (Human laundry not being a PhillyCollector subject.) Noooo ... I have doll goodies inside.
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| Here is the zipped closed denim hamper |
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| Side of the zipped closed denim hamper |
Initially, I had two playscale cars and a slightly smaller-than-playscale golf cart along with two playscale, unadorned Christmas trees inside. I did not like the idea of the cars in such a loosely structured container so I removed them. I have other plans for them.
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| White and green Christmas trees and red Barbie Porsche seen. |
Oh! Yes, that's how opened inside of the denim hamper looks.
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| Hello! The inside of the denim hamper, empty. |
Is it just me or does that hamper base look vulnerable? It wants something soft and comfy. Something padded. Down goes a spare pillow. Nothing fancy. Something to keep the first item in protected - the Mattel Barbie Harley Davidson motorcycle.
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| Mattel Barbie Harley Davidson motorcycle |
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| Adding a Mattel My Scene Madison's Vespa to the side |
Next, I wind a cloth under bed storage bag around those two bikes. Next in the bike line up is my Kawasaki motorcycle. I am placing a padded chair seat in next. There remains room for my Mattel Barbie bicycles and the Dinah-mite bike. I'll pad them and zip closed this bag.
That's how I have used a hamper bin to pack playscale motorcycles. Hope these photos have stimulated other ideas for your packing needs.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Memorial Day Photos - Photography Suggestions Anyone?
Memorial Day 2015.
I acknowledge and thank the soldiers who died in service to this country. In observation of this day, I am sharing this Wikipedia article and this brief video. (A black cat is involved; how could I fail to share that?)
I took some dolls and doll bikes out earlier to photograph. I wanted to show off Carnival Barbie on her new body. I wanted to take advantage of the sun shining and the day not being too humid. I wanted to use the bikes before I packed them away. And I wanted to acknowledge Memorial Day. So I went out and took photos.
Usually, I like my outdoor photos. Natural light helps. Usually. But I was not happy with these results. The last group photo is okay, but the bike photos are dark in spots and fuzzy. Any suggestions?
Thanks for looking and any feedback.
I acknowledge and thank the soldiers who died in service to this country. In observation of this day, I am sharing this Wikipedia article and this brief video. (A black cat is involved; how could I fail to share that?)
I took some dolls and doll bikes out earlier to photograph. I wanted to show off Carnival Barbie on her new body. I wanted to take advantage of the sun shining and the day not being too humid. I wanted to use the bikes before I packed them away. And I wanted to acknowledge Memorial Day. So I went out and took photos.
Usually, I like my outdoor photos. Natural light helps. Usually. But I was not happy with these results. The last group photo is okay, but the bike photos are dark in spots and fuzzy. Any suggestions?
Thanks for looking and any feedback.
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