Cabbage Patch Craze

Like many other parents in 1983, my mother braved the crazy, violent, doll-hunting crowds in order to procure the perfect Cabbage Patch Kids for her darling children. She even took preference orders from us. I (12 yrs old) wanted a red-headed girl, not in a dress, if possible. Billy (8 yrs old) had a harder order, a bald preemie. Amazingly, she was successful on both orders. As far as I know she only had to "fight" one other woman for the red-head. In the end, she had two happy children and decided to never participate in that type of craziness again.

This is Claire Irene in her original outfit (Jeans, striped t-shirt, windbreaker, shoes and socks.)

On Collecting

When it comes to dolls, I collect the dolls that I like, not ones that I think are or will be worth anything. This makes my collection personal and manageable. If a doll doesn't mean anything to me, away it goes. This also means, that I have beaten up, much loved dolls that have seen better days. They are my special treasures, missing limbs and all.

Of course if I can find a pristine version of that special damaged doll at a decent price, I will happily snap it up in order to use as a reminder of what the toy looked like when he/she was brand new.

My favorite example of this is my Daekor Pot Belly Bear. He was my absolute favorite stuffed animal for, well, ever. Unfortunately he paid the price for being my favorite - his skin was sagging, he was falling apart, I even re-stuffed him. He still looked ridiculous. One day walking through Goodwill, I saw his younger, healthier brother (unplayed with) sitting on a shelf. He became mine.

The new Pot Belly Bear joined the original and the rest of the Pot Belly family (Racoon, Elephant, and Koala) in my home.

A photo taken the day I found the new Pot Belly Bear.

L to R: Pot Belly Elephant, Pot Belly Bear, New Pot Belly Bear, Pot Belly Koala.

Jingle All the Way

Every one in my house wants to be dressed for Christmas. Belle looks lovely in her Mrs. Clause outfit. Snoopy, Snoopy, Woodstock, and Sally are festive as well.

Mandy put on her winter hat and coat so she can play in the nonexistent snow, but she couldn't get her boots on. Obviously my fingers were much more dexterous as a child or Mandy grew. 

It's Beginning to Feel a Bit Like Christmas

Genius Baby is decked out for the holidays.

Send in The Clowns (Again)

The summer between 10th and 11th grade (1987) I worked at Camp Happyland, first as a Jr. Counselor, and then as a Lifeguard. It was exciting to live away from home and to have a substantial paycheck. (Much more substantial than my previous job as a kitchen assistant for the local homeless shelter.)

One of our few camper free days was also the first Payday and trip to the local shopping mall day. I was determined to buy an awesome doll with my own cash. I wanted a Sasha, or an Effenbee John Wayne. My hopes were dashed. Sasha's were no longer produced, and John Wayne was right out. After morosely wandering and watching Beverly Hills Cop 2 with other staff, I entered the Hallmark and saw this sweet clown. I turned my smile upside down and purchased it.

This is "Taffy", a Precious Moments Doll produced by the Jonathan & David Corporation of the Philippines in 1985 (one of the first 10 dolls produced by the company - according to their website). The clown is 16 inches tall with a cloth body and a vinyl head and limbs.

Raggedy Ann Update

The first thing I did with my new Raggedy Ann was wash her clothing. I hand washed with Woolite, being careful to keep the snaps, zipper, and purple ribbons out of the water. I remember from my childhood that the ribbons bleed. (Boy, do they bleed!)

I let the outfit dry flat and then ironed the pieces.

Then, I inspected each piece.

The underwear is discolored - red/pink bleeding at the shoulders, and brown/yellow ageing on the legs and cuffs. The elastic is intact but not tight, and the ribbon is missing.

The dress is in pretty good shape, except: one of the ribbons has been cut short, the collar is stained pink/red, and there is a small whole in one of the sleeves.

The apron is fine, but could use some spot cleaning.

Next up? Washing the doll.

My First Doll Luncheon

I attended my first Doll Luncheon yesterday at the Crowne Plaza in Timonium, MD: Lady Baltimore Doll Study Club's Halloween Luncheon and Costume Party "Bewitched by Dolls".

It was originally scheduled for October 29th, but was rescheduled due to the freak snowstorm.

The tables were beautifully and whimsically decorated for Halloween.

Each table had a Fancy Nancy lovingly dressed  as a witch by the members of the club.

The one at our table was a gypsy/fortune teller.

The Program (program lite, as the presenter put it) was a slide show on how dolls celebrate Halloween, including some scary and gross dolls found on Ebay. 

After lunch the games began, starting with the costume parade.

In this photo is a Modern Witch (me) and a Movie Star on her way to the Oscars.

Raggedy Ann, Witch, Charlie Chaplin, ...

Halloween Pirate (Chesapeake Doll Club)

Some of my table mates.

These are some smart and talented ladies. As a team, we won the "The Price is Right" game.

The Loot!

The small ghost was my costume contest prize for Sexiest Costume.

The cat box is the souvenir doll for the luncheon. Isn't it beautiful? Do you see what is hiding in the Jack-O-Lantern?

The prize for the "The Price is Right" game.

The rest of the loot.

The Madame Alexander Wicked Witch of the West, the pail, and the 2 small pumpkins were the small centerpiece prize. The book was the "Left-Right" game prize, the rest were table favors.

I had a wonderful time and cannot wait to attend another event. Maybe next time I'll win a Helper Prize.