Happy New Year Everyone!

We're all going on a summer holiday,

No more working for a week or two.

Fun and laughter on our summer holiday,

No more worries for me or you,

For a week or two.

We're going where the sun shines brightly

We're going where the sea is blue.

We've all seen it on the movies,

Now let's see if it's true.

Everybody has a summer holiday

Doin' things they always wanted to

So we're going on a summer holiday,

To make our dreams come true

For me and you.

For me and you. 

Songwriters: Brian Bennett / Bruce Welch Summer Holiday lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Have a wonderful finish to 2018 . . . see you all again in 2019!

As 2018 Ends

Firstly, I'd like to thank all those who have visited my blog and have taken time out of their busy days to leave comments this year. I have enjoyed sharing the doll hobby with you and getting to know you all a little better. It's comforting to know, that no matter how crazy this world can be at times, there are still people who can enjoy a common bond through their love of dolls, teddy bears and toys.

Now it's time to see who I brought home this year ~

BJD's were way down on last year, but brought my total BJD's to 83.

1. Denise ~ Kaye Wiggs Mini Layla, Fair Skin, Arrived 22nd January 2018
2. Fifi Muffet ~ Liz Frost of Wizworx Mini Fifi, Light Tan Skin, Arrived 27th February 2018
3. Mia Mary ~ Liz Frost Of Wizworx Mini Mia, Light Tan Skin, Arrived 15th March, 2018
4. Lunette ~ Liz Frost of Wizworx Mini Lunette, Fair Skin, Arrived 11th December, 2018

So it seems, were my PLAY DOLLS, bringing them up to 43.

1. Cassandra ~ Dianna Effner Little Darling by Joyce Mathews, Arrived 10th January, 2018

2. Heidi ~ Rosemarie Muller "Wichtel " for Schildkrot-Puppen Lea, Arrived 17th May, 2018
3. Pippy ~ Australian Girl Matilda, Arrived 20th May, 2018
4. Bess ~ Robert Tonner, Tiny Betsy McCall, Arrived 28th December, 2018

FASHION DOLLS were something new for me this year, and eight came home. I think if I add any more dolls to my collection in the future, this maybe where you will see them. 

1. McKeyla ~ Project Mc² doll by MGA (1st release) McKeyla McAlister, Arrived 7th November, 2018
2. Adrienne ~ Project Mc² doll by MGA (1st release) Adrienne Attoms, Arrived 7th November, 2018
3. Bryden ~ Project Mc² doll by MGA (1st release) Bryden Bandweth, Arrived 7th November, 2018
4. Camryn ~ Project Mc² doll by MGA (1st release) Camryn Coyle, Arrived 7th November, 2018
5. Keyla ~ Project Mc² doll by MGA (2nd release) McKeyla McAlister, Arrived 7th November, 2018
6. Hatsuko ~ "Ruruko" CCSgirl 18SS doll by PetWORKs, Arrived 12th November, 2018
7. Holly Golightly ~ "50th Anniversary Commemorative Fashion Collection" (How Do I Look #5 in the series) by Integrity Toys 2011, Arrived 24th December, 2018
8. Alysa ~ Luxe Life Convention Exclusive (nude doll) by Integrity Toys 2011, Arrived 31st December, 2018

The total of sixteen, is just one and a third dolls a month, that may or may not sound like a lot to you, and to be honest it's probably more than I need, especially as space has really become difficult to find here. And so I may will have to curb my desires a little lot in 2019 . . . however, I have learnt from past experience to never say, never. :)

I did manage to complete a few projects this year, even attempted others, which sadly I did not complete, so I am hoping next year I can finish all the projects I have started and begin a few of the others floating around in my noggin.

MY WISH LIST FOR 2019 ~

2017 Industry Come Thru! Tulabelle True™ Dressed Doll ~

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Tulabelle
Hair Colour: Light-Auburn
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Body Type: The Industry 1.0
Foot Sculpt: Traditional High-Heeled Feet
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Doll Stand : Yes
Limited Edition : 600
Suggested Retail Price: $125.00 US

I fell for this gal hook, liner and sinker, as soon as I saw her gorgeous red hair and I should have bought her then and there. But I didn't, and now I'm afraid I may have missed the boat. I shall have to keep my eyes wide open if I am to own her.

2017 Poppy Parker™ Welcome to Misty Hollows Dressed Doll ~ The Swinging London Collection

W Club Exclusive IT Direct Event ~ she was not available at dealers

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker

Hair Colour: Silver Blond
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Body: Poppy 1.5 (Body disassembles and features newly improved joint stability)
Foot Sculpt: Traditional Poppy feet with articulated ankles
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Doll Stand : Yes
Limited Edition : 1390
Suggested Retail Price: $130.00 US

Although I really love this doll, I am not prepared to pay the second hand asking price for her, so I doubt if I will ever bring this doll home . . . but I can wish, can't I? And who really knows what tomorrow may bring?

2018 Poppy Parker™ Chiller Thriller Dressed Doll ~ Integrity Toys Convention Luxe Life Collection

Doll Tech Specs:
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker 1.0

Hair Colour: Black
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Body: 1.0
Foot Sculpt: The Industry High Heeled Feet
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Japan
Doll Stand : Yes
Edition Size: 600 Dolls

Suggested Retail Price: $150.00 US

I was very lucky recently and spotted this one nude on eBay for a reasonable price and as her hair styling is like Misty Hollows Poppy, decided to bring her home. She should arrive sometime between the 10th and 16th January with any luck.

I'm never too fussed about not having the clothing that comes with the dolls as I really enjoy sewing my own. I'm even considering making some jewelry this year and perhaps some crowns or floral headpieces. I've made these items in the past for brides, so it will interesting and possibly quite challenging to make these items in a size which will fit these dolls.

Now, when I saw this next gorgeous gal, I felt this was one doll, where the elegant gown she is wearing, appealed to me as much as the doll herself. She actually comes with two gowns, but the second one did very little for me.

2017 Erin Salston™ Metamorphosis Dressed Doll Gift Set ~ The Heirloom Collection

W Club Exclusive IT Direct Event ~ she was not available at dealers.

Doll Tech Specs:

Head Sculpt: Erin 2.0

Hair Colour: Midnight Brown

Eyelashes:Yes, Hand-applied

Body: Nu Face 3.0
Foot Sculpt: Traditional High-Heeled Feet
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: Hungarian

Doll Stand : ?

Limited Edition : ?
Suggested Retail Price: $175.00 US

Well that's about all I can foresee for now, but of course, as any doll collector knows, a wish list can change from one day to the next . . . que será, será.

Wishing you all the very best for 2019, may it be a happy and prosperous dolly year for you all!
Big hugs,
X

Tiny Betsy McCall

Betsy is wearing a discontinued Robert Tonner 2004 (No. BC8402) Summer Fields doll outfit designed for the eight inch Tiny Betsy McCall and Dru dolls. This also fits Tiny Anne Estelle and includes a lovely two shades of green striped dress with a green, lavender, yellow and white floral print pinafore. A pretty lavender ribbon bow is tied at the waist. She also wears white-lavender floral clips in her hair, white panties, white socks and white plastic shoes like late 1950's and early 1960's dolls wore.

She is coming to me after Christmas, without her box or COA, which I wouldn't have expected anyway for her bargain price, however, she is stamped with the Tonner name. I really wanted a curly red haired girl. but they are like hens teeth to get hold of, as those on offer will not ship out of the USA. I think a new wig should take care if that though.

A basic 8" Tonner Betsy cost US$39.95 and the Tonner outfits usually sell from US$24.95 for a set like this on their own, so I was really pleased to pay what I did.

Well that's it for today . . . HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
Big hugs,
X

EDIT: 28th December.

Tiny Betsy arrived today and I am so pleased I purchased her. Her head moves up and down, as well as side to side, her eyes close, her arms move at the shoulders, but there is no elbow joint. However, her legs have both a hip and knee joint, which will help when posing her.

Betsy is made of hard plastic which has a nice feel in one's hands, it's smooth and not too shiny. She measures 20 cm (7+7/8") tall but her wig gives her just a little additional height making her 20.3 cm (a perfect 8 inch doll).

Her wig, unfortunately is glued on, so it might take some fiddling to replace it. I am having second thoughts about this now, as it's a really nice wig, fine, without fly-aways and combs easily. The little "clips" were not as I expected, so I shall take the flowers off and sew them onto proper clips.

The clothes she is wearing are really well made, with neat finishing, no loose threads and back closures are done with press studs (snaps) and not that yucky Velcro. To be honest, I couldn't have made them any better myself . . . so over all, it's a thumbs up to Tonner!!