Did I Say No More Dolls? What I Meant Was....

No more that day.

Me with more Stardolls.  I know that's quite the shock. But most of them were on clearance for $7.48 at Target.  Get out!  I'd pay that for the outfits.  And since the LIV bodies can fit the shoes.  All is well.  The AA doll was $10.48, but still a great price.  The two dolls on the left will get LIV bodies for sure.  I'm still on the fence about a Fashionista or LIV body for the AA doll.  All three will be part of the college crew.  

Finally saw the new Artsy at Walmart.  I needed another body to paint. 

 Someone else here needs a new body and I love the little outfit.  Perfect for my college crew.

I bought a couple of the LIV outfits from Target. There were a couple more there, but I left them.  So funny, when I was at Walmart, they had the NEW ITEM sign still on their LIV stuff and regular prices.  Ha!

Found these cuties in the Fisher Price aisle.  They may come in handy if I ever do the DisneyWorld trip I have planned.

Sharing Some Doll Goodies

Yesterday, when I went to my woodworking meeting, one of the guys presented me with this vase he made for my dolls.  Isn't it beautiful?  I forgot what kind of wood he said it was.

It's going to look wonderful in one of the dioramas.

Max arrived about a week ago.  He's looking a little scared.  I don't blame him.  He will be a hot commodity in Morristown.  

You can't blame me for this purchase.  Blame, Roville.  She rebodied this guy and he is looking incredibly sexy!

I will probably do a little something to his eyes to give him a 'less deer in the headlights' look.  Need to find him a body first.

Looks like there's a new stewardess in town!  Monzieur Z First Class has joined the Barbie Friendship plane crew.  She too will get an eye repaint job.

I couldn't sleep last night, so I made Dominique a raincoat.  It still needs buttons.  The umbrella is from a LIV  clothing pack.

Antoinette has been collecting items for her garden.  She says she wants a greenhouse.  I said, maybe.

I started the transformation on turning some of my Only Heart dolls into little boys.  There will be an Asian boy as well.  The two Black dolls will get their hair flocked.  I may have cut the hair too short on the White doll.  I'm sure I will figure it out.  I will also remove the makeup.  Stay tuned to see how it all turns out.

Finally spent a little time with my scroll saw.  These are Christmas ornaments I started.  We have to take ornaments to our next meeting.  I haven't figured out how I will decorate them.  On the left is a ballerina.  On the right is a karate kid.  They are regular size....

but, I think they may make nice wall hangings in the scenes.  On the table is a golfer.  Halle is holding a rocking horse ornament.  I decided to turn this into a little seated horse rocker for the babies in Morristown. I will cut out another horse, a seat back and bottom, glue them and paint it.  Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Does anyone know where these pieces are from?  I picked them up at  a thrift store.  It would be nice to know what they were originally.

Update:  Dollz4Moi solved the mystery of the thrift store pieces.  They are from the following set.  I've never even seen this set.  It came out in 2000.  I see they had a paper shredder.  How cool!  Thanks, Dollz4Moi.

TJMaxx Doll Goodies

Yesterday I went back to Marshalls to find another bottle stopper for a fellow blogger Kenya.  She is not a doll person and plan on using the bottle stopper as.... get this..... a bottle stopper.  I also decided to see what TJMaxx had.  Typically both stores get the same type merchandise.  They had a couple of bottle stoppers, too.  When I ventured to the toy section I found a couple of goodies.  

This is a newer line of Fashionistas, but I have yet to see Raquelle in the regular retail stores in my area.  This doll is pretty.  She jumped out at me.  To date, all of my Fashionistas have been body donors.  After seeing a Raquelle doll on Clicking Dolls website, I knew I had to add her to the mix.  Make sure you click on the link and take a look.  She is fabulous!

I noticed quite a few Only Heart dolls at the Marshalls I went to this weekend.  I was so good, I didn't buy any of them.  They had the Asian one, and the light skinned curly haired doll.  She is Jessica in my stories.  I already have both of them, so why would I need them again.  Well TJ had a few of the outfits for $4. 

I couldn't pass on these.

Then I saw this version of Kayla Rae.  She is Nicole in my stories.  There was no way I was leaving her in the store.  Then I remembered that I wanted to turn some of my Only Heart girls into boys.  So she will eventually be a little boy.  So now I regret not getting the Asian and the little curly haired girl.  They will both make cute little boys.  I should have stuck to my "buy now, ask questions later" motto.  Then I wouldn't have to run back to the other Marshalls.

This is bottle stopper I bought for Kenya.  I didn't see the one I have with the 3 bottles.  They also had one with a single bottle and a different container.

I Went Back to the Target Sale and Big Lots

Today is the last day for part of the Target sale.  So I am posting this just in case someone forgot.  I wanted to go back to Target to possibly buy the Stardoll with Chanel like jacket.  No intentions to buy anything else.  I always go to different Targets because they all carry different things.

I've been wanting this set for a long time.  Didn't want to pay full price and it has disappeared from MattelShop.com.  It was on sale for $17.98.  I don't think an AA set even exists.  This Shelley doll's height can change.  I bought it because I am rebuilding my pediatrician's office.  There is a new I Can Be Pancake turning set that I almost bought.  It was the AA set and the little girl is a new dark skinned Shelley version.  She is really cute!  Unfortunately, they gave this doll the colored legs, which do not move well.  I didn't think I had a darker SIS body to swap her to, BUT I DO! No, I am not going back to Target!

I wanted this set too.  I only had one set of skis and ski boots and needed a second set for the ski trip.  I really like those graphic type pants much better than I thought I would.  Yes, it was on sale.

This is one of the older Fashionista sets.  I was really surprised to see it there.  Back when it came out, I was so against these sets.  Couldn't stand them.  I have learned how to look at these sets with more of a discerning eye.  I had to let go of my "but they aren't Fashion Ave clothes" hang up.  That jean jacket was showing up everywhere on flickr last year. 

Now that I am better at the mixing and matching, I can see outfits in my head using certain pieces.  I really wanted these pants.  I thought the top was cute too.  Great little casual piece.  Last year, I'm sure that purple dress totally turned me off.  I am singing a different tune, now.  Laaaaa.

I remembered that Tina and Shantavia's daughter had already picked out purple outfits to wear to the wedding.  Voila, Shantavia will be wearing that purple dress to the wedding.  It looks kind of sad in the pack, but I think it's going to look nice on her. Tina's purple dress is from a Stardoll accessory pack.  The dress is really cute, but extremely short. If you are wondering how Tina got invited to the wedding, she is accompanying her new man, Harrison.  Who, if you recall, is Leslie's dad.  Go on Ms Tina.  Do your thang!

I now pay attention to the footwear in the packs, too.  I really like these boots.

Okay.  Now on the surface this pack looked pretty bad to me. Two things caught my eye in this pack.  I could picture the little graphic dress (the yellow one) looking really cute with leggings and a jacket.  And those boots!

These boots are killer!  I had to justify buying this pack just for the boots.  Watch me work.

So, the name of the pack is Tokyo.  This dress says I love Tokyo. Again at first glance not something I would choose to buy.  The outfit in the center was worse.  But that's because I had my own personal style in mind.  There aren't a lot of Vanessa's roaming around Morristown.  There are all kinds of people with lots of different styles.

Then I remembered Mari, my Asian teenage performer.  Both those outfits would be great performing outfits.  Problem solved.  I got my boots and Mari got her new outfits.  Now all I need is the Bratz stage.

Kara rushed home from the salon and picked out her dress.  Tell me she is not rocking this dress!  I love this dress on her.  So does Chris, her husband.  This is the one that is worn by Stardoll Bonjour Bijou 2, the redhead.  Yes, the Stardolls are on sale at Target through today.

She will not be carrying this bag, but this is one of my new favorite handbags.  Probably because I carried something similar when I was in college.  This is from one of the Stardoll accessory packs.  Yes, they are on sale.  I don't mean to be an enabler, just an informant. 

By the way, we got Melanie covered, too.  Chyna couldn't pull police duty for the wedding, but she sent S.W.A.T. (I don't have a doll that I think properly represents Chyna, yet.  Still looking).  You won't see them at the wedding.  They will have the perimeter covered and will be checking all cars as they enter to make sure she doesn't get in.

I stopped by a different Big Lots.  I always check for Power Team guys.  I saw only one and I didn't like him at all.  Looked at the rest of the toys, then headed to the restroom.  After leaving the restroom I decided to look through the toys again.  What is it with us addicted doll people?!  Low and behold there were two more PT guys that I somehow overlooked.  This was one that I really wanted.  I hope to name him Rain, but I have to get Ebony's permission first.  

One last thing.  These were $1 in the $1 section of Target .  I plan to use them to organize some of my doll projects:  one for woodworking, one for sewing, one for food, and one for furniture.

They have 4-5 clear pockets inside.

Whew!  I'm tired.  Got to go make furniture now.  I promise, no more posts until tomorrow.  Have a wonderful day.

Sunday Doll Purchases

I know.  I know.  It was just last week when I professed that I was done doll shopping for awhile.  Well apparently awhile meant about a week.  You can blame Hey It's Muff.  She blogged about some pens she bought from Big Lots and reminded me of the 20% off sale this weekend.  I decided to go to a Big Lots about 40 mins away near my sister-in-law's house.  I picked her up and off we went.  I got two packs of the pens then pretended like I wasn't going to the toy department.  LOL!  When I got there I picked up 3 dolls.  A PowerTeam guy, and 2 Denim Basic dolls; Barbie #1 and Ken #16.  I talked myself out of both Basic dolls.  They weren't on the list and the clothes weren't calling out to me.   We went to an herb shop about 20 mins from the Big Lots.  You will not believe what was sitting in the window being raffled off!  A totally stunning redressed Barbie Basics #1.  The doll was gorgeouss!  The jewelry.  The outfit.  The hair.  All stunning!  The herb shop was closed, so I just sat there at the window questioning my decision to leave Barbie Basics #1 at the store.  I saw this as a sign.  I have never seen a Barbie in an herb shop before.  So of all days and all the herb shops, we picked that one.  I immediately wanted to go get her, but with my sister-in-law in tow, I had to keep my crazy in check.  I hinted around at the idea, but she didn't bite.

So we continued on to the next store.  I must admit, I punched Big Lots in the GPS when we got in the car to see if one was close.  Not close enough.  When we got to our last stop, Cost Plus, I was happy to see that it was in a shopping center with Marshall's, TJMaxx Home Goods and Ross.  I still had that Barbie Basic on my mind and figured I would check those stores to see if she was there....and cheaper than $10.  Nothing at Marshalls.  Nothing at TJ.  Ross is the last stop.  No Barbie Basic dolls, but they did have the black jacket accessory pack for $6.  I picked that up and a Harley Davidson motorcycle that was marked $13.  Not thrilled at all about the price of the bike and I wasn't sure if it was big enough.  But the thought of me leaving it in the store and then regretting that decision again, made me keep it in hand.  Off to find my sister-in-law, who was in the handbag department.  As I am getting closer to the handbags, I notice a bin near the linens.  This bin is full of dolls!  Jackpot!  No Barbie Basics, but LIV dolls.  This bin is a mile away from the toy department.  Why do they do that?  You mean from now on I can't do my normal beeline to the toy department?  I now have to meander through the stores to see if some bright person decided to  put dolls in some off location?  I know there is a marketing reason for doing something like this, but they are missing out on those of us who just go to the department we are interested in.

So here is my new PowerTeam guy.  I didn't pay a lot of attention to him in the store.  I saw that he was okay looking and he had real hands.  Once I got him home, I realized he has an Asian feel about him, so he will be the husband to the Pediatrician, Mari's dad, and the brother to the other Papa.  Do you see that cool vest and hat.  Rod will be sporting that on a future fishing trip.  It's perfect!

I already have this set, but can you really pass up $5.99?

So this was the first LIV doll I saw in the bin.  I picked her up and put her down.  I always liked these cute outfits, but I have a box of newly purchased LIV dolls in the studio.  Don't ask.  Ok, it was the $3 -$6 LIV blowout at Target a few weeks ago.  They haven't made it out the box yet.

Then I saw this one.  She didn't look familiar at all.  "Lift to Open".  That's what the box said.  I did.

Ooooh  weee!  The spa doll.  Didn't these dolls just come out not too long ago?  All of a sudden, $9.99 was looking really good. 

This little dress is the cutest!

You know who's getting this robe.  Danielle, of course!

For those of you not familiar with the spa dolls.  You can change their eye shadow color, their nail color, and their hair streak color.  Makes me want to keep her in tact and play with her as is.  I may do that until I need her body.  

I looked back in the bin and saw another spa doll I hadn't noticed.  She's wearing a cute little nightgown. 

 I only have one doll whose name starts with an "S" and that is Sylvia.   So she may get the robe, unless one of the new nameless characters gets an "S" name.

By the way, after deciding to get both Spa dolls, I also decided to get the first LIV doll I saw and put back. I did at least put back the motorcycle, with no regrets.  I have two here already that have yet to be used.

So, the moral of the story is.....  I don't have a clue.  I broke one of my rules.  "Buy now, ask questions later."  Had I done that, I would have had the Barbie Basics #1 and I wouldn't have had the crazed "I got to find this doll" feeling again.  I could have just driven back to the Big Lots and bought her, but I hate backtracking.  Of course, if I had done that, I wouldn't have run across the LIV dolls.  So maybe the whole end result was to find the LIV dolls.  I stand by a statement I say all the time.  I have never regretted buying a doll, I've only regretted not buying a doll.  With that said, I suspect my doll buying is still not over.  

Junk In The Trunk

Well it's not actually junk, but it was in the trunk of my car.  I don't like getting too many doll things at one time.  It's too overwhelming.  I try to space out my purchases, but sometimes it can't be helped if the sales/finds are too good.  Often times I will leave items in the trunk of my car, sometmes for months at a time, until I am ready for them to be in the house.  I have been known to forget having quite a few items.  Looked in the car one day and there was an Artsy doll, that I didn't even remember buying.  I guess the car is like my basement sometimes.  Just full of treasures.  Last week I ended up at a number of stores, that I didn't intend on visiting.  Found some incredible buys, that made it out of the trunk today.

I really thought I was safe when I went to JoAnn Fabric store last week for needles. In all my years of shopping there, I have never run across fashion dolls of any kind.  Surprise, surprise.  Look what I found.

I decided to get this one. because I don't have this doll, and Zahara was begging me to buy her the baby carriage.  With my 40% off coupon, it would run me $12.  Not bad.  Since you can't find these locally any more, buying it on-line would have run me so much more.

Well, when I got to the counter, they rang up 50% off, or $9.99.  Zahara was jumping up and down asking me to get her the baby crib, too.  I really have to stop taking those kids with me shopping.


I went to several thrift stores last week, too.  I was really just looking for (NOTHING) odds and ends for my dios.  Saw this doll.  $7.99.  Who can say no!  Apparently, not me.

I have been dying for a 1/6 scale horse the past couple of months.  Probably because I am now a Western fanatic and most of the TV shows I watch involve men slinging themselves on a horse and galloping off.  Talk about sexy!  Back in the late 90s, I had the pleasure of meeting some Black cowboys when I went to Dallas for business.  I was winding down, in the hotel lounge for the day, and there, not too far from me, was Tony Dorsett, my football idol at the time, and three of his cowboy friends.  I introduced myself to Tony, and he introduced me to them.   Tony and I talked for what seemed like hours, as he caught me up on what everyone from the 1978 team was doing.  He was quite impressed that I knew all the important players. 

I got the tan horse, which is the new walking, talking, Tawny horse, for $3 from one thrift store, and the other two for $1 each at a Goodwill.  The two in the back will probably be painted black and brown.  So when Nicole mentioned she got a horse.  She actually got use of a horse when Melanie signed her up for riding lessons.  One more horse from Target will be added.  It is the smaller Generation horse, that would be perfect for one of my men.  I see stable building in my future.  I drew out a set of plans, but at the time I only had the Tawny horse.  Back to the drawing board.

Wonderfully cheap dio finds at the thrift store.

These will be spray painted white or silver and used at the wedding ceremony.  $1 ea at the Goodwill.

Found this painting for $2 at the thrift store.  It will be used in The Den as a wall mural.

Not only did I go to the Goodwill and the Thrift store, I went to an Antique store.  These were the doll items I found for really good prices.  The silver picture frame may show up at the wedding reception with pictures of Rod and Danielle and the kids.  The white cabinet is very shallow and perfect for a diorama.  I haven't decided what the dio will be, but I am excited about the possibilites.