The Witches Come Out to Play

Halloween was last week, so yesterday I packed up the Halloween decorations. Since I already had about half of my witch dolls out for the display, I thought I would get the rest of the witches out and do a group shot.

The Annalee witches got packed up with the rest of the decorations, so they are not in the grouping.

To qualify as a witch, the doll had to have a conical witch hat, or a broom, or have witch in their name or description.

First up is Pop Goes Oz - Wicked Witch of the West.

Next are Jill Wilson's Scary Godmother and Maru Mini-Pal Fire Witch,

Madame Alexander's Wicked Witch of the West, My Friend Jenny in an OOAK witch costume, and Bratzillaz Witchy Princesses - Carolina Past.

Licca in an Azone witch costume, Happy Meal Wicked Witch by Madame Alexander, and Trick and Treat Cissette.

Hiding in the back is Moonlight Halloween Barbie.

The last doll is another Bratzillaz - Yasmina Clairvoya.

Not a bad group of witches, if I do say so myself.

I have posted most of these dolls before, but never as one group. I hope you enjoy seeing them all together.

Lady Baltimore's 2021 Halloween Luncheon

 Yesterday, Saturday, was the Lady Baltimore Doll Study Club's Halloween luncheon. Just what I needed to get me into the Halloween spirit.

The club members decorated multiple display tables with horror and Halloween themed dolls that they own.

There was also a competition table. The category was - Dolls dressed as witches - costumes made by owners. 

As you can see, I participated this year. My Friend Jenny feels a bit out of place with all of these glamorous modern dolls in their pretty witch outfits.

So many people participated in the competition this year. All the outfits were very well done.

After looking at the competition dolls,  I had to go back and look at more display dolls.

The tables were festively decorated with painted pumpkins and Halloween themed items.

Some attendees even brought their travel dolls with them.

During lunch, a guest speaker spoke about the history of witches and dolls. It was really interesting and entertaining.

Then it was time to see what the judges thought of the competition dolls. 

Ta da!!!! I got a 2nd place ribbon! Hooray!

Running short on time, next up was Helper Drawings and passing out the souvenir doll.

A Maru Mini Pal - Fire Witch! She is adorable.

The 3 helpers I won are: a Christmas themed Raikes Bear,

A beautiful Zapf doll,

And VIB - Libearace. LOL. He is too fabulous.

It was a great event!

Vintage Collegeville Witch Costume

It feels like forever since I posted here, instead of just over a Month.

But I have a good excuse, really. I was working on creating a Halloween costume based on the one in the picture below. 

I was probably 5 years old in this photo. The costume was by Collageville. Remember them? The costume consisted of: a thin, plastic material, black skirt; a cape of the same material with witch designs printed on it; and a plastic witch mask.

Collegeville costumes were notorious for the plastic material of the costumes ripping really easily, so you could only get 1 or 2 wears out of them.

With the costume, since it is cold in October in Northern Illinois, I had on a red turtleneck, thick white tights, and black rubber rain boots. I also carried my little broom, that I already had.

To make the skirt and cape, I used black trash bags. Turns out, that trash bags are not the easiest to sew or paint, but with lots of hard work, I figured out the best methods and got it done. Not bad, huh? The mask is just painted cardboard. The shirt is red flannel. All the patterns are modified from Fisher Price My Friend Mandy sewing patterns.

And who is behind the mask? My Friend Jenny. I found this Jenny at a thrift store about two years ago, and was waiting on an awesome outfit to dress her in. Now she has one.

Jenny is already to go Trick or Treating tonight. 

3 Cheers for Mikey and Nicky

If you have read all of my blog posts, you know that I am a fan of the Fisher Price My Friend dolls, starting with My Friend Mandy who I received as a young child for Christmas 1977. Since starting this blog, I have gradually added all of Mandy's friends to my collection.

My most recent acquisition is Mikey (released 1982), the boy of the group. I found him at the Rowbear's National Doll Festival that was taking place at the hotel across the street from the UFDC convention hotel last month. Purchasing him means that I have completed my collection.

Since I already had Jenny (released 1979),

Mandy (released 1977),

Becky (released 1982),

And Nicky ! In fact, I had bought Nicky earlier this year at the MLK Jr. Day doll luncheon that I enjoy going to, but hadn't taken her out of her box yet.

Nicky was the last character added to the original line in 1985.

Like the other dolls, Nicky is machine washable and her hair can be safely shampooed. The box recommends that instead of combing her hair, a pick should be used so that her curls are not damaged.

She comes in a cute cheerleader costume and has her own pom-poms. When she was released, Mandy was also re-released in a cheerleader costume. And the year before, Jenny was re-released in an aerobics costume. I guess it was the mid 1980s and athletic looks were more popular than sweet 70s dresses and the peasant look.

Now all the dolls are reunited.

Hip - hip- hooray!

My Friend Jenny

I was super excited when I found Fisher Price My Friend Jenny at a thrift store recently.

She is in pretty good shape, and is only missing her shoes and hat.

Her hair, though, was an absolute mess.

I gave her a bath and shampooed her hair.

I think it looks much better now.

Finally, she stands (wearing borrowed shoes) with Mandy and Becky.

Now it is time to seriously look for Mikey and Nicky.