Feeling Blue ... Need Paramus Cure

Okay, this is off-topic, but it segues to something on topic so I'm posting it anyway. Did my taxes today. Want to cry. No, not really, but the results aren't pretty. I owe the state, and my federal return just about covers the cost of Turbo Tax. Bye bye visions of Fashion Royalty dolls.

Sigh ... so I need a pick me up.

Buy Therapy is out. Did some Organizing Therapy yesterday. So I'm going to read some doll and action figure photostories. Roville doesn't have anything new ... that is, I'm caught up with those stories. So something cheery, something bright -- without a question, it's some Paramus Chronicles that I need to read.

The Paramus Chronicles are photostories by Michael aka GessHu100 who participates in various Yahoo DAF Groups. The Chronicles are stored on Webshots. I don't want to say more than they've got drama and humor and interesting interiors. Great place to go for some addictive doll and action figure storytelling. Here's the link:

Paramus Chronicles

New Storage Unit!

Someone gave me a 5-shelf storage unit, and I'm pleased with it. Placed my boxed vehicles and furniture there. When I debox them, I will have more room to add boxed dolls to that unit. I'll post photos in a day or two.

2009 Integrity Toys Doll Photos

Sigh.

There are so many new dolls in the Integrity Toys 2009 line up that are screaming my name.

Nu.Face coming out in May 2009
"Old is New" Giselle
"Style Mantra" Eden
"In The Mix" Takeo

Dynamite Girls coming out in March 2009
Rufus, Sooki, Dayle -- possibly Aria and Jasper

Maybe the Fashion Royalty Basic Jordan doll ...

Oh and a new series called Integrity Toys Basic Editions -- I want the two Black dolls and the two blonde dolls coming out this June.

Sigh. Time to run through the collection and sell some older dolls.

Tracy Turnblad Up Close

In a recent post on Blog of Eternal Stench, blogger EW aka Modern Wizard, comments on an ad demanding that parents keep their children away from obesity. I mentioned the two plump dolls that I have - Mattel's Rosie O'Donnell and PlayAlong's Tracy Turnblad. I am posting close up photos of Tracy here.



Tracy face forward




Tracy's right side




Tracy's left side

Toy Hunt at Big Lots, Norristown - Part 2

Big Lots also had the following Kitchen set that was available to K B Toys:



I had bought a similar Kitchen set from K B Toys under the Home Sweet Home banner a few years ago.

Recycling and the Collector

This post was inspired by a ModernWizard query/comment.

What materials annoy DAF collectors? Plastic inserts, styrofoam, and wire twist ties. We love the protection - everyone wants to get an intact doll or action figure. After we remove the doll or figure, we are left with packaging. Packaging and how to get rid of it. Responsibly. Time to breakdown the box, separating the cardboard from the clear plastic and/or any styrofoam. Hoping that the trash collectors will take the separated materials. Putting the separated materials in a large, dark plastic bag if/when the trash collectors are on a "garbage only" tour and then a litterer adds food to the recyclables. Grrr ...

Collectors, we have an alternative. And I don't mean putting everything in a large, dark plastic bag the first time. We can recycle our packaging junk by re-using it.

I don't have any recycling projects, but I know of at least three websites where you can find inspiring new uses for DAF packaging. Please see these links:

C. Bradford Gorby's 1:6 Scale Diorama Creations

and

J. Steven York's "Thinking inside the Box" post dated Tuesday, September 02, 2008

and

DollDivas Dioramas

You can also check archives of online boards like Men With Dolls or One Sixth Warriors for customized furniture and structures.

Toy Hunt at Big Lots, Norristown - Part 1

Okay, I went seeking new or new-to-me Power Team figures. When I go to Big Lots, my target is the M & C 12" Power Team action figures. Alas, the ONLY Power Team figure there was the long-faced, blond Paratrooper in the dark olive jumpsuit. Cute in an intellectual way, but not compelling enough for me to buy a second. So I looked for the dolls.

Big Lots carries a lot of the cheaper and/or close-out Barbies and several of the Chic Boutique dolls. In the greater Philadelphia area, Big Lots, Dollar General, and Conways carry some of the types of dolls once available at K B Toys or often available at KMart. City Style Barbie, Glam Barbie, recent Fashion Fever dolls, My Scene Disco, an early High School Musical Gabriella in red dress, etc. Nothing remarkable. Priced from $5-12 USD so you could get a "cheap fix" here.

I found a Nikki whose eyes are painted to the left; since I usually find Nikkis with eyes to the right. Not an earthshattering difference, but I had gone a long way to get there. I wanted to bring something home. And well, I liked her red scoop-necked top and her full leopard skirt. Five dollar price. Sold to the purchase-withdrawn collector.

Here's a photo of this Nikki





And a closer photo of her face