Blythe - Calendar Girls Flickr Group & My Blythe Doll Winona Grace For January

I was on Blythe Kingdom Forum yesterday and I happened upon a wonderful thread informing us members of this new Blythe Calendar Girls Flickr group.  I immediately joined and then shortly after that posted some pictures of my Winona Grace, a lovely All In Gold BL Takara Blythe doll, that I took minutes after, from my snowy back yard.

My friend Winnie, whom I met at the first ever 2004 Toronto Blythe doll meet, made this beautiful outfit that Winona Grace is wearing in the pictures.  It reminds me so much of something a Russian princess would wear and I think that my goldie looks Russian so that is pretty much why I picked that outfit and Winona Grace as my January girl.  Sure Canada is not as cold as Russia but since Toronto got this huge blast of snow I thought it was as close as it will get this year ;) (more snow on the way too!)

I have to tell you that I had so much fun capturing what I felt were some pretty amazing shots.  I tell you once I get inspired I really do seem to grasp my favorite dolls in such a terrific light.  I don't find it that hard either because using Blythe Dolls as a subject does make it easier to get that perfect shot.  I try to aim for a place that offers me a lot of natural light and if I don't have that then I resort to using the flash feature but I know that they won't be as stunning.  I 99% of the time wait for the natural light, even if I am shooting indoors.  I think the last time I did use it I was just showcasing my Blythe doll collection where there is no natural light at all since they are in a temporary location.

I know that you can take great pictures of your blythe doll too.  I don't even use a very expensive professional camera.  I have a Canon Powershot ELPH 320 HS  that I picked up for less than $200 bucks, taxes in!  It's a wi-fi camera, so when I am on the road, and as long as I have an internet connection, I can immediately upload them to my Canon account and/or Facebook.  You can also upload your videos to YouTube, as well!  I found the Canon site to be great for personal storage but the links stop working if you have a lot of people looking at your pics on blogs and forums.  I find that Flickr is the best photo storage sharing site because they will not short out even if there are tons of people accessing the pics and they do offer a copyright on your pictures too.  The camera comes in neat colors too and it's very slim so it's easy to carry in a small purse or pocket.  Be sure to edit out your private information on Flickr because it will show up if you don't.  I had my name and phone number displaying at first until my husband mentioned to go to the options and remove that.  Thanks, honey! 

Luv,
AnnaBlytheDoll xo

New Littles Pet Shop Cartoon & App featuring Blythe!

I know I have made this known before but I will say it again, those Littlest Pet Shop Blythe toys by Hasbro are so freakin cute and fun!  I am also glad to have some in my collection, as well!  Below is one of my favorite LPS Blythe called Black and White!  Cute as a bug, no?  Yes!!!

Well it's gotten better!  Above is the promo clip to the new sweet cartoon just in case you didn't see it but don't forget to come back and keep reading this because I still have to let you know about the new app!

Okay now back to what I originally was trying to tell you all about (:  Well when I was on the Google Play store today I spotted their new LPS app featuring Blythe in the beginning!  Here is the iTunes LPS app and Blackberry Playbook app links that I just wanted to add for the Apple & Blackberry Playbook users ;)  It's so fun, adorable and cute.  Best of all it's free to download and play!  In some parts of the game you may want to buy coins but free items are offered too.  I really love this game so much!  Pets are really cute!  My favorite so far is the darling hound ^o^

Now if you will please excuse me I have some little pets to play with and care for on my droid lol  ;)

Love,

AnnaBlytheDoll xo

"Blythe Bible" From The Toy King, Jordan Hembrough! #toyhunter

 

 

I don't even know how to begin on this one!  I thought I knew pretty much everything about 1972 Kenner Blythe Dolls.  Well actually I did not!  Little did I know that there was a lot more that had been tucked away for decades until recently. 

I'm not sure if you guys remember me blogging about this amazing new show on Travel Channel called Toy Hunters?  Well soon after that I discovered Jordan on Facebook and started asking him about the show and if Kenner Blythes would be featured.  He was so awesome and answered me, it's all on this blog, so I continued to support him and his show.

Out of the blue he sends me a note this past summer stating that he had something for my Blythe collection?!!!  I was so very pleasantly surprised!!!  I had no idea that he would do that because what I did I did because I truly and greatly enjoyed the show.  I did not look for anything in return.  HOWEVER, it wasn't like I was gonna refuse it, you know what I'm sayin' ;)  He contacted me again and explained that what he had was a former Kenner employee's Kenner Blythe file copy.

"I am sending you the "blythe bible" that I got from a former Kenner employee. It is the file that belonged to the original inventor of Blythe.It contains all hand written notes and drawings, and tons of designs and cost sheets for non produced outfits. In addition, it has a list of all the names they considered as well."  Jordan Hembrough.  I was so floored!

At this point I have written Hasbro because without their permission I can not do a whole lot.  I was thinking of writing about it with lots of pictures, including as much information as possible and it would be appropriately titled "Blythe Bible".  I also would love it if CWC Hasbro would even consider producing the items that were never released.

I am hoping that I can go ahead with permission from Hasbro and share this information with you all in book form because I know that it would greatly improve our Blythe knowledge in the community for many more years to come!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and all your support!

Love,
AnnaBlytheDoll xo


UPDATE:  I was contacted by Hasbro Legal this morning and the paralegal wanted me to send them my request directly to them so that they could "expedite" the process!!!  I will keep you all posted :D  Thanks so much to those that supported me in this matter (:

Update - Still no word back yet!  Hopefully there will be soon.  I asked if I could do up a nice blog instead but I did not get the go ahead.  I was thinking of going to a Blythe or Toy Event and displaying it there.

Update - Toy Hunter said that I could post it so I decided to go ahead and blog everything.

My Article Was Published In The 3rd Issue Of Blythiful Magazine!

 This past September I discovered Blythiful Magazine and was curious because from what I saw it looked really interesting and seemed to be packed full of information, tutorials and tips by some talented people in the Blythe community.  Also the pictures and artwork were really terrific too.  I did not hesitate at all when I was asked by the creator, Priscila Ferreira, if I would like to write an article for the Halloween themed issue!  I immediately said that I would *LOVE TO* and then started brainstorming immediately.

The only thing I love as much as Blythe dolls is Halloween so it wasn't hard for me to come up with a concept that was not only easy for myself to write but it was true and from the heart too.  My contribution was about my Blythes and I living in Toronto... a haunted city!  You see I love to collect vintage books, as well, especially about my city.  I found this one book, "Haunted Toronto" by John Robert Colombo, years ago that had so much information about rumored paranormal hot spots in the GTA, Greater Toronto Area, that I had to check out myself so for years I have been venturing bravely about and usually in the company of my blythe dolls too.

 You see I have searched high and low, from Fort York, to the haunted Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, to Toronto's own castle CASA LOMA and more spooky spots too!  Yep, we have quiet the history here in my beautiful city and I know all about it.  I feature one particular place with both history and ambiance too.  The staff is super friendly and it's really cozy.  Well, except if there is that thing about something going bump in the night and all, if you know what I mean!  Very creepy and cozy ;)  A must see if you are visiting Toronto or taking a staycation.  Plus it has free parking too, very unusual for downtown, so why not check it out even if you don't believe in that sort of thing (:  The fine craftsmanship of the place alone is reason enough to go, plus the food is great also.  Okay, I have said enough already.  If you want to know more then please consider buying the issue.

I hope you enjoy my article and the many other wonderful contributions too.  The cover alone is brilliant, those cute and creepy Blythe doll creatures totally captivated and made me crave more, which you do get if you delve further into the magazine!  It was better than I expected and I am so very glad that I got a chance to write something for the publication, as well as, purchase my own copy too. 

Love,
Annablythedoll xo


   

Blythe Dolls In Boston & Salem Massachusetts!

I was always interested in Boston and Salem because they hold great history, Massachusetts is not known as The Spirit of America for nothing!  We decided to book it and went last week.  We arrived in Boston in the afternoon and enjoyed a beautiful evening filled with bright lights and yummy seafood!  The next day we set forth to do the tourist thing.  In the warmth and sunshine we got to walk the freedom trail and we got to see first hand Americas great beginnings.  Even before that we started literally in the middle at the Boston Common with it's lovely trees, lush green grass, frog pond with cute building and lovely fountain.

  It was the perfect place to soak in the surrounding sites, as well.  We got on the freedom trail and discovered the historic North end by foot thanks to the perfectly placed so everyone can see red line in brick and painted on the historic walkways of Boston!

I won't go into detail for you because I really think that everyone should walk this trail for themselves but what I will say was I was very surprised to find that in the midst of all that wonderful history was Little Italy!  Being Italian myself I was very proud to see such a beautiful and large Italian community thriving there.  It was the perfect stop for lunch and we had such a yummy Italian panini.

The next day the weather wasn't  the greatest so I decided we would check out Salem.  I figured the dark and dreary weather would only add to it's appeal and our overall experience.  I was right!  Salem also had a walk and we followed it by foot and trolley.

I was really impressed with the lovely shops and I guess so was Eva Mendez because she was shopping in the same one I was at too lol  She was dressed so covertly that I didn't even recognize her and it was only after the shop clerk spoke to me about her did I notice.  The clerk was all excited that she just served Eva and started telling my husband and I right after she left.  I heard that she filmed a movie there not too long ago but not sure why she was there then and what exactly was she buying lol  It was an occult shop so I wonder lol

The locals were great too. Very nice people in Salem and in Boston also!  We were taking the subway and the first time no where that I could see did it list the price for a fare so I asked someone.  Well not only did he tell me what it was but he wanted to pay my way lol  I had to insist that that wasn't necessary and thank him kindly for his help. We were lucky and got to spend a week there and enjoyed the Salem seaside in summer like weather too.  It was perfect and I do plan on going back.  Cape Bacala, er... I mean Cape Cod which is another part I want to visit too.  I love coastal areas so much.

All in all it was a great time and I feel blessed to have experienced the beautiful US of A again!  So very glad that Canada has such a wonderful and amazing neighbor! 

Thanks for taking the time to read this :)

Love,
AnnaBlytheDoll xo


   

The Great Maria Predicts! Having Some Halloween Fun With My Kenner Blythe Doll

The world will NOT END in 2012 

Whew!  That's such a relief, Great Maria!!!  What an amazing blythe doll!  I was really worried there for a while.  I also take comfort in knowing that many have predicted the world ending and it has never come to light yet.  Remember that reverend in Florida that claimed that the world would end last year in May and then for sure in October lol  I'm sorry but if you had half a brain in your head you would remember what your mamma told you and not say anything if you haven't got anything nice to say!  

Love,

AnnaBlytheDoll xo

Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Blythe Doll!

 
I was having some fun with some of my dollies the other day and came up with a little look a like girl.  I don't know about you but I think the new TLC show Here Comes Honey Boo Boo is really fun to watch.  Alana is such a little qt and very smart too!  I thought how much of a vintage blond 1972 kenner blythe doll she looks like, especially when she's all dressed up for her pageants.  You can tell she  really enjoys doing them because she gets to show off and shine on stage.

Alana's new show is actually a kind of spin off of TLCs Toddlers and Tiaras.  She was actually competing in a pageant when I guess she must have won over the hearts and smiles of the producers of The Learning Channel!  I can see why cause her personality is really great!  She's such a little character and light!  That girl is always smiling :D

I'm not sure if anyone caught the last or 2nd last episode of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo when Alana and her family were wig shopping at *Shhhh* It's a Wig lol  It was such a hilarious show and I even felt like trying on a few wigs myself, actually!  Fork lift foot was another good episode where mamma didn't want to take off her socks even in the water park for fear that people would see her deformed toe thanks to a freak forklift truck accident where it got literally run over.

If you missed them you can still catch up on YouTube or check out the TLC website.  If you have time tonight maybe you can catch the latest Wednesday night episode that usually airs at 10pm eastern standard time.

I have to get a better picture but it has been dark and raining here in Toronto for the last few days.  Anyways, I couldn't wait so I wanted to share with you all now ^o^  I'm sure you all will forgive me lol

Love,
Annablythedoll

Feeling Froggy

Jade was out in our Japanese garden this afternoon and she came upon our lazing frog fountain. 

So she decided to give him a little kiss in hopes she would find her true prince

POOF

Jade was so shocked she fainted.

Kiwi said "what did you expect, there are no blythe boys!"

Beautiful Blythe doll princesses can live happily ever after, though.  Proof!  I have 23 living together right now ^o^ lol

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed making and sharing it xo

 Love,
AnnaBlytheDoll xo
p.s. I made the outfits by hand a while ago ^o^

Toy Hunters Premiers Wednesday August15th @ 10pm/9c On Travel Channel!!!

Hey Gang!  Just a heads up that my new favorite show, featuring TOYS and hunting for them, with the very cool and talented host, Jorden Hembrough, will be on tomorrow night 10pm/9c, and on one of my favorite channels too, the Travel Channel!  I am super excited and I can't wait to see the first episode since the pilot!  I can't wait!!!   

Love,

AnnaBlytheDoll xo

Toy Hunters Jordan Hembrough Talks Vintage 1972 Kenner Blythe Dolls

 

After I wrote the blog about the new show Toy Hunters and it's terrific host, Jordan Hembrough, I was determined to ask him a few questions so I found his Facebook and sent him a public message on one of his updates.

I figured it was a long shot since he was in the midst of filming twelve episodes but regardless I still had to try because i believe that if you don't take a chance then you will not even have the opportunity.

So I decided to lay it all out and put it out there so that maybe I would be able to find out  if our little vintage diva and other creepy cute retro dolls would be featured too!  This is what I actually wrote him:

  "Hi Jordan, I love your new Toy Hunters show on the Travel Channel! I caught the first episode this past Sunday and I have already blogged about how great it was. Do you know when the new episodes will be out? Will we see anything on my favorite toy the 1972 Kenner Blythe dolls? I also would love to see stuff on other creepy yet cute dolls that are similar like: Flatsy, little miss no name, leggy, emerald the witch and I'm sure there are a lot more. I am really looking forward to the future episodes and hopefully even more will follow :D "

This morning I was so pleasantly surprised that Jordan had actually taken time out of his busy schedule to shoot me back a response!!!  I was over the moon because it was great news!!!!

 "Hi Anna_ YES on all accounts! I am so glad you liked the show and we are working hard to bring you a great series!"  Jordan
How freakin cool is that!  I wonder what other dolls he will feature, I bet there are many that we don't even know about!

 I posted the actual pic convo on my Photobucket if anyone would like to see :D  YES, I AM A DORK hahaha! 

Love,
AnnaBlytheDoll xo

New AMAZING Show Toy Hunters On Travel Channel First Episode Featured Kenner But No 1972 Kenner Blythe Dolls :(

So yesterday, Sunday June 10th, 2012, after I got home from the beach, I was flipping through the channels and found a new show on The Travel Channel at 5pm called, "Deep Fried".  I was instantly in love because, I mean, how could you not love anything deep fried lol  I loved it so much I was hoping for another episode right after but I got something better.  Another new show called, "Toy Hunters" :D

Okay so Jordan Hembrough is the host of the show and he has been on the search for vintage toys for over 25 years, both as a collector and as a dealer.  His website is Hollywoodheroes.com and he also sells at the Comic Con shows where he has made over $15,000 US and now he has his eyes set on the NY Comic Con but this time he wants to make $20,000 US.  I believe I saw his booth at the Toronto Comic Con this past April because it looked identical to the one on the show.  There were lots of amazing toys that I know for sure!

For this first episode he goes on "the ultimate toy hunt" of his life!  The hour show takes us on this journey with him!  It was so fabulous to say the least!!  My favorite part of the show was when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, aka, "toy country USA", former home of the Kenner factory which produced some of the best toys of the 70s and 80s.  Some of the toys included: Star Wars, Care Bears, Super Powers, Ghostbusters, etc.

Jordon went on to describe that this area is vintage "toy heaven" which is a 300 mile radius from the factory because he stated that some of the former Kenner employees stuck around and with lots of the toys they used to help to make.  He even went to a former employees home where he "hoarded" Kenner toys!  No 1972 Kenner Blythe dolls though :( I believe that I did see a glimpse of a Blythe doll wig on an outfit box later on in the show, however.  My heart stopped as I was anxiously awaiting it's unveil as they went to friggin commercial :(  Grrrrrr! Watch the video below or you can go to the 28:24 mark right away and let me know what you think :D

Next on Jordon's stop was Queen City Comics that was also in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He first met with one of his buddies that explained how this shop was rumored to have treasures including prototypes that were traded like nothing!  He did find quite the jem which he took on as a 20% commission.

Jordon then drives out to Dayton, Ohio in order to be the first to venture into Tomart which is a guide with a "large warehouse" of toys!.  Tom, aka, the "toy guru" is the owner of Tomart who has collected 1,000s of toys from the 20th Century.  That is where I think I saw the box with the vintage 1972 blythe doll outfit but they pulled out a different toy :(

Next up was a Thundercats segment and then the NY Comic Con where the magic really happened where Jordan brought those treasures he found and more to the toy lovers.  Some even indulged and went home with some prized loot that they will probably cherish for a while.

 I find as a Blythe doll enthusiast myself, I am taken back to a time when I was a child, even though Blythe was before my time.  I did see hints of Blythe in the 80s, some outfits but no dolls :( at the Dutch Boy market clearance section in Ontario, though lol.

 This show was so 5 star that I had to do a search for it on YouTube just so I could watch it again.  I can't wait for the next episode to say the least which is said to air Sundays at 11 EST/PST but it's not listed on the Travel Channel online schedule?  I Googled the show and found out that Toy Hunters was picked up as a series for 12 more episodes so fingers crossed that they will air very soon :D 



Well I hope you love my blog about the new show Toy Hunters as much as I loved writing it for you all <3

Love,
AnnaBlytheDoll xo

No Blythe At 2012 Toronto Comic-Con :( BlytheCon 2012 Europe Anyone?

So we went to the Comic-Con at the Toronto Convention Center this month and there was a little bit of everything there except Blythe dolls and Blythe doll items :(  There were comics (of course), action figures, toys, trading cards, neat handmade crafts, art, prints/signed prints, autographs, celebs, booths to meet/take pics with celebs, anime, psychics, paranormal investigators like the Ontario Ghost Busters, sci-fi memorabilia, people that dressed up either who were a part of the show and partakers too.  There was even food, refreshments, free goodies and lots of people just hanging out having a good time.

I did find a couple vintage comics from 70s that had ads of 1972 Kenner Blythe dolls but that was about it.  Still, all in all it was a pretty good day considering.  Not too shabby for being in my city regardless of a lack of the big headed diva <3

I Googled Comic-con and Blythe and found there was a table with the Blythe theme back in 2005, but I couldn't find anything since.  I would love to see more Blythe items and crafts there next year but I guess Blythe has gotten so big that it now has it's own convention.

That's right BlytheCon 2012 is coming to Europe this year in Berlin and I imagine that it would be something!  I have been to 4 Blythe meets before, including a Halloween Blythe Meet at Gina Garan's studio in NY and they were so much fun, but I would imagine that going to an actual convention would be even more awesome.  I mean it would be anything and everything Blythe, not to mention all the fans and collectors too.  I was on the BlytheCon Europe 2012 site and all the details, including a neat little map with the address of the place, is all right there.

Wish I could make it to Berlin if the gods smiled down upon me but if not then hopefully next year it will be in Canada.  Maybe we could entice our fellow Blythe fans here with some maple syrup and beaver tails!  I'm talking the dessert by the way and not the actual furry cute little critters lol  You may see them around if you are by the lake, we had a couple of beavers in front of my condo on the lake shore downtown one year.  Oh and we also have amazing poutine, you know the french fries with cheese, gravy and I've had it with melt in your mouth beef and pork.  Okay, I'm hungry now lol  More soon <3

*Big Hugs*
AnnaBlytheDoll xo