Vintage Talking PJ

Vintage Talking PJ, originally uploaded by alington.

Here is a slightly better shot of a 1969 vintage Talking PJ. She's been squeezed into a current playline Barbie swimsuit and coverup, and she's holding a martini. I think it's perfect for beach season.

I just adore this girl.

Vintage Barbies on Display

Glass diplay vintage Barbies, originally uploaded by alington.

It's mint green and blue month at my house. I would have just one color, if I had more outfits, quit spending so much money on BJDs, and actually sold unwanted dolls rather than trading them, I suppose. But what would be the fun in that?

From the left:

• 1968 Brownette Talking Barbie in Zokko repro outfit
• 1969 Talking PJ in a current playline outfit (flip flops and martinini glass were also included in the set of three outfits, and the clothes barely fit)
• 1975 (rebodied) Free Moving PJ, also redressed in, current playline Barbie clothes which barely fit
• 1968 Talking Barbie (brunette), wearing current playline Barbie dress and Barbie Basics accessory pack boots

Do you rotate your displays? Do you have themes or redress your dolls? How often?

You can see more photos of my May display on my Flickr photostream.

Red, White and Warm Barbie Barbie Vintage Repro 1969 Made for Each Other My Favorite Career Vintage Student Teacher Sixties Fun Barbie Vintage 1974 Mattel Three Floors Townhouse

1969 Vintage Talking PJ

1969 Vintage Talking PJ, originally uploaded by alington.

Another part of my recent trade: a restored 1969 Talking PJ. I don't have her original shoes, but she actually talks! She is so cute. She's the original Midge sculpt (before PJ used the Steffie sculpt). I just adore her.

I got her in a trade (when I was trying to restore my doll budget and failed miserably--but I did get three amazing new dolls). See more photos of her on my Flickr photo stream.

1968 Vintage Talking Barbie, Brownette

1968 Vintage Talking Barbie, Brownette, originally uploaded by alington.

One of my new additions, she's older than I am. :) Can I just say... I'm smitten?

She's a brownette 1968 Talking Barbie, and yes, she actually talks. I got her nude, and I need to probably find some real vintage clothing for her next--as soon as my budget starts to recover. She's in very nice condition--her face has yellowed a bit, compared to the rest of her body, but her hair and rooted eye lashes (and talking!) distract me so much from this that I just can't help but love her to pieces!

For those of you who haven't been following my budget issues, you can read about them on my blog. Click on Newer Post for the next one. There are three posts about this issue, if you're interested, or if you are currently arguing with your loved one about your dolly dollars. Read through my posts and then you can talk to your significant other and claim, "Look at this girl. I'm not nearly as bad as she is!"

See the rest of this lovely lady's photos on Flickr.

1970s era PJ

1974 or 1975 PJ, originally uploaded by alington.

She was a $5 thrift store find, who needed a little help with clean up and some hair restyling. She is a little loose at the torso, and has a bite mark on one of her legs. But I couldn't pass up her sweet face.

My second ever Barbie "restoration," and my very first "real vintage" Barbie. It hardly counts, as she cleaned up so easily, it was almost scary. I had a blast! I'm totally going to be stalking yard sales now.

For ID purposes--maybe you, dear readers, can help:

• She has "Mattel 1974 Taiwan" (or possibly 1971) printed on the inside rim of her head. 
• No pull tab on her back torso, so unless she's been rebodied, I don't think she's the Free Movin' PJ (1975), though she looks a lot like her.
• Her hair curls easily, but it doesn't feel very wiry, even though she also looks like a Quick Curl Deluxe PJ from 1975.

She's dressed in a Dressmaker Details gown here (Blushing Bride). You can see more of this photo shoot on Flickr.

Oh yes, and her before photo here:

1983 Fabulous Fur

1983 Fabulous Fur, originally uploaded by alington.

Fabulous Fur Barbie, restyled and cleaned-up. I'm so happy with how she's turned out. (My first attempt at restoration!) She's a doll that's been in my family since 1983, when my sister bought her with her own money (when she was... seven maybe?). I don't think I can save much of her outfit--just a few pieces. She still has her ring, though. And her body is in great shape, and her hair--wonderful!

And I think she loves her new look, courtesy of Jason Wu of Fashion Royalty (Integrity Toys). Details are:

• Dress is from Paparazzi Bait (Adele)
• Earrings and trench from Bewitching Hour (Luchia)
• Shoes from Flight Pattern (Kyori)

Check out her before photo here (I hope she's forgiven me all these years of neglect, in my mother's closet):

So, which do you prefer? You can check out the rest of her photo shoot on my Flickr photostream.

February Doll Meet

February Doll Meet, originally uploaded by alington.

We had a lovely and laid back doll meet at my house this month. Of course, I stressed too much about vacuuming the house, but what a great reason to clean up. I'd host again in a heart beat.

The theme was Valentine's dolls--and it was lots of fun. We had a deli-style lunch, and we actually saw some rain. While we were a small group this month, I really enjoyed myself.

I love meeting and talking to other collectors--learning the details on other's collections and experiences is so helpful and interesting. Plus seeing dolls redressed in styles (and in person) is both inspiring, wonderful, and a little dangerous on the budget, as you may be able to tell by my lovely model photo.

Please check out a few more photos in my Flickr photostream. If you can, find a group of collectors who meet locally, and GO. It's really worth it! It will broaden your appreciation of dolls in ways you can't imagine.

January Doll Meet - Meet Francie!

January Doll Meet, originally uploaded by alington.

At my very first local doll meet, I was introduced to Francie. And it's official: she is adorable!

She has the cutest face, the brightest color palette, and her clothes are just wonderful. Plus, the collector who was generous enough to open her home and share her amazing Francie collection with us let us know that Poppy Parker can share her outfits--even her shoes.

You can see more photos of gorgeous vintage Francie dolls from the meet on my Flickr photostream.

(There were lots of other lovely dolls there, but my photography skills required some heavy editing, unfortunately. The force was not with me yesterday!)