Long time no post!

So since I posted last, I went to grad school, graduated, and started work full time.  I haven't done anything doll related in forever, unfortunately.  I am going through my excess stuff, and have 5 headless LIV bodies that are in great shape up for grabs.  They're all either the palest skin tone or the slightly tan one.  I have a few other headless Barbie bodies, but they  may have cracked necks.  Free to a good home!

Awesome fold-up DIY Barbie house

Check out this brilliant idea for a fold-up Barbie house AND furniture.  LOVE THIS.

http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-three-ring-binder-barbie-dollhouse.html

Making a 1/6 grill

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2297585/Wild-squirrels-pose-charming-pictures-photographer-hides-nuts-miniature-props.html

While this whole picture set is adorable, when looking at it I was immediately struck by the mini bbq in the 4th photo.  Seems like that would be pretty easy to re-create for dolls:D

Disney store $10 sale

This week (week of 3-10) the Disney Store (online at least) has their classic 11.5" dolls on sale for $10.  The sale includes villains, men, and wedding versions of dolls I haven't seen for $10 before.  Go look!
http://www.disneystore.com/tinks-treasure/mn/1001232/

She's a brick house

Always on the search for variety in body types for fashion dolls, I have made my next frankendolly, but I'm not sure about her.  I will post her picture without comment, and then post an in-depth of how I made her when I get a chance.  I want honest feedback, but I don't want to put any thoughts in your heads so I won't give my reservations about her yet.

New, different Barbies in 2013

Have you seen the pics from Toy Fair? 
http://idlehands1.blogspot.com/2013/02/toy-fair-2013-barbie-in-2013-malibu.html
Scroll down to the "Barbie™ Life in the Dreamhouse Friend Core Assortment"
They look awesome!  I have to have Raquelle.  And I'll probably end up with all of them, who am I kidding.  

Doll profile: Barbie collector Diwali (Festivals of the world)

I am very bad about wanting MOAR MOAR MOAR dolls, and I realized I need to spend a little time appreciating the ones I have.  So I'm going to post pictures of some of my favorites, starting with the doll that started it all, Festivals of the World: Diwali. 

I didn't start collecting Barbies until my daughters started to like them. I didn't realize that I liked them to until my oldest daughter traded one of her dolls with a neighbor and I realized that I didn't want that doll to go (it was princess of Portugal).  Around the same time, I saw a bag of Barbies at a local thrift store which included the Festivals of the World Diwali Barbie.  It was $6.99 for the bag and at first I didn't want to spend the money, so I left it there.  But I thought about that doll all weekend.  First thing Monday morning, I went back to the thrift store and the bag was still there!  This is the doll that had been on my mind all weekend.

She had a few hair chops, but not a bunch, and I eventually put her on an articulated body, but her face is magnificent and she came with all of her original jewelry.

I really don't know how they expected her to do any Diwali dancing on that stiff body, but she could dance up a storm on her new Fashionista body.  Her skin tone was a perfect match for the generic Fashionista and this is a first-run fashionista body.

Interestingly enough, she actually uses a more "ethnic" sculpt than actual "Barbie in India" dolls sold in India (my sister has sent me two).  

 

Above is Diwali Barbie, sold for an American market.

Here is Barbie in India, sold for the Indian market. Uses a standard "Barbie" mold, just with jet black hair.

I personally prefer the Diwali sculpt but of course love the actual Indian clothes on the BiA doll.  Will post pictures of her another time. 

This is the doll that launched a thousand purchases.  She is still one of my favorites!