Blythe Christmas In The Big City

Christmas and holiday time is almost here!  I was out getting sushi this past weekend and had a couple Petite Blythe dolls in my purse so I had to take some quick snaps when we were at the lovely decked out shops on Queen Street West.  

I did not dare go for any shopping on Black Friday because it's starting to get a bit crazy here in Toronto too according to the news last night!  I personally avoid it all but I will go to a music/dvd store, book store or thrift shop instead. I have never even stayed out all night for anything but if they started selling Blythe dolls at stores, who knows?! LOL

We were also at Royal Lighting to look for a couple lamps then stopped into Pusateri's Fine Foods that is packed full of Italian delectable, groceries, flowers and where they have some amazing Christmas displays including a Middie Blythe doll sized rotating Ferris wheel!  I have video of it too on my Facebook that I made public if you would like to see.  If you are nice then feel free to add me if you like, also. :)  Oh and they had some really great samples there like free LaVazza coffee, apple crumble cake, fancy crackers and more!

I took some general city shots at Yonge and Dundas, Dundas Square this weekend too.  Toronto is always so decked out during Christmas and New Years.  It's a great time to visit!  Speaking of visits my family will be celebrating both Christmas at New Years at my house!  I am making a feast of yummy food, snacks and treats!  I can't wait!!

We noticed downtown Toronto storefront, across from Eaton's Centre, and they still had the same display as last year but it was still amazing.  The people in these displays look like little dolls!  Love it!!

I hope that each and every kind dolly person has a wonderful holiday this year and since I celebrate Christmas I want to wish all the good people out there a Very Merry Christmas and A Joyous New year!  All the best in 2015!!!

Hugs,

Annablythedoll xo

Comfy & Warm Wool Coats In Two Lengths For Kenner / Neo Blythe Dolls

In my spare time I love to blog, sew, read, draw, play dolls, listen to music, watch movies and take pictures!  Lately I am listening to my iTunes while I sew a lot.  I am very fortunate that I learned to sew in grade school from family that knew and I also took Home Economics in Grade 8.   Made my first tote bag, shirt and cute mobile.  We also knit and crocheted some things too.  It was a lot of fun and it was actually useful.  I am glad I took it!

So if you follow my blog previously then you would know I purchased a bunch of vintage Skipper patterns and one vintage Pepper set of patters from an online auction that she sent me on CD.  Since then I have been testing out some and they are coming along really nice.  I even sent that CD to a dolly friend as a part of a friendly exchange and I share them in the file section of the Blythe411 FB group for free.  There are also other patterns in the photo section and links to even more.  Please feel free to join!

Above are 100% wool fabric, gold beads for buttons and red cotton thread.

I cut out the pattern and I did it freehand without pins.  I am really good at doing that but you should always start by pinning the cut pattern to the material and then cutting.  Please ignore that piece on the left with the two little cut outs.  It was for another coat.  

Iron the collar and you can even do the seams too.  I am lucky that I can make 1/4 inch seams while I sew and I can sew very straight too. 

Voila!  Collar is pressed and ready to sew.

Here is my lovely Jade in my first wool coat with domes, bias tape and gold beads as buttons.  

Here is the same pattern but modified so it's length is shorter.  Looks so sweet!  It's a gift.

I also made one for Blythetastic for Christmas and sending hugs.  I was so flattered when she posted a pic of one of her lovely Kenners styling it in a beautiful ET helmet, I believe.  I asked if I could use the pic and she said yes!  Anyways, here it is!!

Isn't this such a stunning picture of such a darling doll!  Just perfect!!!

So there you have it.  I am no where near opening up an Etsy shop or anything but I am having fun and making some cute clothing for my dollies and my dolly friends' dolls!  

Hope you all are staying warm, even your Blythe dolls!  They will in these fab wool coats!!  

Hugs,

Annablythedoll

Facebook Doll Box Group Just Started! Already So Much Fun & Lovely Display Pics Posted Too!!

I just joined a new Facebook Doll Box group that has definitely got my interest.  I was discovering miniatures and dioramas this year personally so it wasn't very hard.  I am still learning, collecting and developing my skills and displays.

So far I have IKEA to thank for a great set up with their fab shelving and dolly furniture that I purchased and wrote about on this blog earlier this year.  No.  I don't work there but they do deserve some props because a lot of wonderful doll and/or toy collections, and other wonderful things, adorn their terrific and affordable display cases and shelving!

So last week the admin posted our first challenge.  To create a diorama out of a cigar box.  I was apprehensive but I have always tried to take part in Blythe doll challenges, trades, competitions and other fun things too so I decided to brainstorm.  My husband did have a couple cigar boxes and he was cool to let me use them.

I also felt that a Middie Blythe or a Petite Blythe sized doll or dolls would be best to use because I had never really made my own diorama from scratch before and I thought it would be a nice way to start.  The theme for the challenge was Christmas so I continued thinking and remembered I had a winter Blythe petite that would be perfect and then I also added another petite and wrapped her with a scarf.  I grabbed some cotton balls, some trim from some of my bushes that resembled miniature pine trees.  Then some black electrical tape, clear white tape and white paper then I was ready to go!

I think that this was such a cute way to start the wonderful Christmas season!  I also put up my Christmas tree and wreath last week.  I really enjoy this time of year, especially when I watch some of my favorite movies like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Christmas With The Kranks, Bad Santa, Home Alone 1&2 and a bunch of others.

Well that's it for now.  Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and I hope you liked it.  I probably will be blogging some more soon but if not have a very Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays.  All the best to you and yours this wonderful festive season and I hope your new year is fab and bright!

Hugs,

Annablythedoll xo

Blythe Bug Payback lol :)

So I kinda got my sister in law and my little niece hooked on Blythe.  Thanks to me they now how some Blythe dolls.  I also made them a couple dresses for their new dollies too!  For Christmas I am also giving my little miss a new pink haired Blythe Doll in a knit dress I made for her dolly too!  I can't wait to give her new doll in her new outfit to her!

The dress above had a some modifications by my niece.  It no longer has pockets but it actually looks better. lol  It's her dress now so that's what counts.  She left the Hello Kitty button intact!  It's so cute and hopefully I will get some pics of her doll wearing it.

This dress was so much easier to make!  I am really getting the hang of sewing a lot of dresses at once for my dolls, friends, family and customers.  I am very lucky that my father gave me that vintage zig zag SINGER from the 70s that came with it's own table for FREE!!!

So this is the dolly and dress I made.  Also featured is her new dress all nice and adorably packed!  I noticed that the dress will go perfectly with her other doll that has blue hair.  She even has a huge doll house that I think is super darling!  I have room for one so I might have to get one too!  Playing dolls is for anyone at any age!  It's a heart thing and there is endless room to fill with happiness from it too! :D 

Here is the dress close up with the little embellishments I sewed on.  I hope she likes them because she will remove them if not and I really think they are cute so I hope she doesn't! lol

Well that's it  for now.  I hope you are all having a great week so far and it gets better!

Hugs,

Annablythedoll xo

Bella Enjoying A Beautiful Fall Day In A Stunning AZ Hippiechick Etsy Hat, A Knit Vest I made & Vintage Skipper Jeans!

Yesterday I received two gorgeous hats from Vickie of  AZ Hippiechick Etsy Shop.  It was also a very lovely day here too because it was above seasonal so I took advantage of the new hat, weather and decided to hold a photo shoot.  

Bella is my last Kenner Blythe I purchased in 2005 from an online auction.  I also won those vintage Skipper jeans off the bay and matched it with a hand knit hat lovely vest I made in early 2000, as well!

I have made about half dozen coats in felt but none in that lovely green color or bright vibrant yellow or orange.  Maybe I should start making some soon!  I also love the idea of big cream sweaters or maybe a scarf to go with the coat?  I need to make some time and whip some up.

Bella's hair is so silky and smooth.  At the right side I should give her a treatment because it's a tiny bit uneven but that is the standard with uncut kenners.  I am not sure why they were produced with uneven hair but I am not going to cut it.  I don't even like brushing their hair too much because it might pull some out.  I usually just primp and pamper my dolly's hair with my fingers.  It doesn't pull anything out or stretch the hair fabric either.  

The maple leaves are so gorgeous and abundant in my back yard right now.  I almost hate asking my husband to clean them up.  It's just so bright and beautiful right now! 

Well that's it for now!  I hope you all enjoyed my new set of pictures and I hope that you too are having a wonderful fall season thus far!

Hugs!

Annablythedoll xo

Thanks Giving With Close Family, Friends And Blythe Dolls!

I am so excited!  I am expecting my family to come over and visit me this weekend for Thanksgiving!!  I am so lucky to have the honor to hold all the main family get togethers but whenever they do visit there are mixed reactions to my dolls.  The girls just love them but the boys laugh and always say that I need to sell them soon.  Well except my husband who actually is so sweet and encourages my hobby and interests.

The last time my sweet and beautiful sister in law was over she was in my vanity/doll room with her little one just hanging out.  A few days later she buys 3 blythe dolls!  I am such a bad influence haha!  I made a dolly dress for one of her dolls and she was so grateful.  You never know who is going to get the Blythe doll fever bug and who is going to be kinda creeped out about them.

Aside from my close family and friends no one really knows about my hobby.  I find it best not to get into that personally! lol  So the house is all decorated and my dolls are all dressed up extra special for the big holiday! 

Hugs,
Annablythedoll xo

Box of Dolls Found But Not One Blythe Doll :(

I was at a fab yard sale this past weekend and there was so many neat things.  I found a couple retro side bags for only a buck each and 4 cds for a buck!  There was also dolls and dolly clothes at super low prices.  All of it seemed like it was worth way more than that but I paid what they asked and left like that IKEA woman hahaha!  HONEY START THE CAR!!!  START THE CAR NOW!!!!!!  lol :p

Oh and there was a freakin box of dolls and I started daydreaming about finding a vintage 1972 kenner blythe doll for a buck.  No such luck but it was still quiet the rush because the possibility of it is always so appealing!  I wonder what I would do if I ever found a kenner that way?  I hope I don't pass out. haha!  Oh well at least I was able to save up for my kenners by selling other vintage things online and then I was able to save up for my 3 kenners that way!  I have more tips on this blog that I share on how I achieved my blythe doll collection.

So I ended up picking up 2 outfits for only $4 bucks!  I will mix and match and obviously the hat and shoes don't fit so I will donate those.

All in all it was still a lot of fun and I even picked up some neato retro stuff I could sell for dolly and/or fu money.  I love earning each and every penny for fun stuff this way.  It's fun for fun!  What else could I ask for.

Anyways, thanks for taking the time to read my blog.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Oh before I go I updated the BigEyedBuys website and am still working on it.  It's a lot cleaner and easier to navigate.  I am always open to suggestions so please feel free.  Thanks again!

Big Hugs!

Annablythedoll xo

$5 Kenner Blythe Found At Estate Sale Recently!

Member of 100% Stock - Blythe Dolls & Adoptions Facebook Group posted yesterday that she had found that gorgeous red head original vintage 1972 kenner blythe doll for... $5 BUCKS!!! Yay for her!! She also posted that she will be selling the doll too.
It seems that most people that find them end up selling them for way more than what they found them for. I remember telling one of my best friends about the doll and they actually had one they found at a thrift shop. Not surprising that they listed them less than a week later and won enough for a new patio table set. It really amazes me when people do that because they are probably unable to see all the beauty in these plastic little cuties, I guess? Oh well at least another kenner will be on the market soon! Thanks to those lucky people who don't really care for Blythe dolls like we do I was able to buy my lovely dolls from them!! I have to start hitting the estate sales and dolly shows again. I remember going to one in 2002 and there was an entire room filled with dolls from floor to ceiling. They had almost every sort of doll you could imagine too! Well... except for Blythe dolls. Maybe one day? I hope so! I just remembered that an actual blythe doll collector found a vintage recently in Nova Scotia for 50 CENTS! It was a real minty blushy red head too.  UPDATE *** Nov 24/2014 the other week another member found a dark brunette kenner and other items at an estate sale for a total of $20 US.  It's nice to see that you can still find them for amazing prices and if you feel that you could not buy them for that low pull a Jordan, as in Toy Hunter, and tell the seller what they are worth because you can always pay what you and the seller feel is fair. If you go for the amazing deal sometimes it's best to keep that info to yourself if you are keeping the doll imo because a few people in the dolly community frown down on that sort of thing and even will talk crap too unfortunately. Same with fakes and customs? Anyways, I am definitely not one of those people. I am the to each their own type unless you are a crook or a cyber bully troll.

Hugs,
Annablythedoll xo

Found 3 Kenner Blythes Today But For A Lot $$! Passed! Not Like Early to Mid 2000s IMO. & How I Found My KBs Too!

There is nothing like finding a kenner off the bay for a good deal but it sucks when you do but the price is even more than what they usually go for on the bay! I found 3 today but the lady wanted $750 CND for a really played with blonde one that had melt marks on the side of the face? She also had 2 brunettes and wanted even more? She wanted $850 CND each! She said both the dolls hairs are super frizzy and it needed to be smoothed out first to check back in about 2 weeks. If the dolls are minty maybe she will get that or more but who knows? Some people will pay that just because it's so convenient to pick them up without the shipping hassle, custom fees and wait. Out of my budget so I will pass.
In the early 2000 I found my first KB for $15 US plus shipping thanks to a local online paper. I simply called a lady who placed an ad for dolls for sale and asked if she had a Kenner Blythe doll and she said yes! She told me what she wanted me to pay, I did not argue and paid right away. She sent me a red head doll with chunky bangs that needed TLC but the transformation was incredible. Then I placed an ad searching for a 1972 Kenner Blythe doll, found another red head side part without legs in original green dress for $10 US plus shipping. I found 2 more in my area that way for $300 US for both, a dark brunette wispy bangs and a red head with bangs . Then I found another one for $250 US in 2004 a dark brunette with a medium length bob. I had no blondes so I sold one of my 3 red heads for one. I have had the same kenner blythe collection since February 2005.
I have been very lucky to find my vintage blythe dolls for great to fair prices for my very own collection. I am no dealer so if someone sells me a kb for a great deal I won't question it. I am always in the market for adorable and affordable dolls. Now maybe you can still even probably find a good deal online for blythe dolls too. I have and also for my other blythe reproductions, fakes and accessories too. It's all a matter of looking I think. I love the hunt so just looking sometimes increases your odds I believe.

Hugs,
Annablythedoll xo
 

Actual Picture of My Favorite Neo, Middie and Petite CWC Hasbro Blythe dolls! Live Scale Pic of 3 Different Sized Blythe Dolls.

I know we have seen the official sketch of the 3 sized Blythes (Neo, Middie and Petite Blythes)  but I recently took an actual picture of 3 of my favorite official reproduction Blythe dolls all in a row and I think it's a pretty neat picture.   

My Neo is my Veronica which is a Lounging Lovely Blythe doll with the Superior Face Mold aka SBL.

My Middie is my Midge which is a Lydia Green Middie Blythe doll.  Now the eyes do not change color with these but the head tilts.  I may get a few more hair colors if the prices come down. That middie was only $138 US including shipping on BigEyedBuys because you can use that site to compare shop the organized auctions and find the best deal!  It does work in my opinion and it does save you time.

Last but certainly not least is my Cassandra Black Petite Blythe doll.  The eyes also do not change color but they are sleepy eyes.

Well that's it for now.  I took my new Middie Midge to the beach and got some great pics of my new dolly.  I am also in the midst of updating my site so I will post some pics there when it's up.

Hugs,
Annablythedoll xo

Canada's Very First Blythe Doll Meet In Toronto 2004 & Behind Blythe Canada's First International Blythe Official CWC Event At Magic Pony Blythe Doll Exhibition in Toronto 2005 - Lots Of Photos Too!

I was at the very first Canadian Blythe Doll meet on July 25, 2004 at Bubble Tea Shop 168 on Yonge Street near Wellesley in Toronto.  I can't believe it has been ten years since!!

We had a few more fab meets since then and then the most incredible thing happened in 2005.  Junko Wong of CWC and Gina Garan, the fab photographer that put together the gorgeous book This is Blythe, was having a huge official CWC Blythe event Behind Blythe at Magic Pony on Queens Street West right here in Toronto!  Canada's first international Blythe dolly event open to anyone from around the globe to go!  I of course RSVP'd with Gina and she emailed me this gorgeous post card invite!

It was a truly magical day on April 30, 2005 that was filled with some really sweet dolly people, lovely dollies and unbelievable art and designs!  I was so fortunate to meet Junko Wong and Gina Garan too!  Gina said my Maria Medium hair colored KB had incredible coloring!!  Junko asked to hold my Maria also and commented what a beautiful vintage I had!!  It was such a special moment with each of them.  I was beyond over the moon and thought that it was a wonderful dolly moment!  

Here are some of my pictures from the actual Blythe Exhibit event that I would like to log for all to see because that way you will be a part of that special day too!    

 Some of my dolly friends that live near Toronto or that visit a lot have asked me to help them get a Blythe Convention together for 2016.  I can not help but will promote it if they can hopefully get something amazing together for anyone that wants to attend.  I will post updates if they can get things going.  Fingers crossed!


Hugs,
Annablythedoll xo

In case the Behind Blythe Link doesn't work here is a copy of the Japan Beat text:

The latest on Blythe from our friends in Asia

May 1st, 2005

Behind Blythe

I hope this Japan Beat finds everyone well and happy.  I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Toronto with two of my favorite CWC ladies. BEHIND BLYTHE was the occasion.  This was our first trip to North America to bring a sampling of many of the Blythe we have produced. We are very grateful to Magic Pony for allowing us to display the dolls we sweated and cried over to create and improve over the past four years.  The highlight of the trip of course was meeting the many sweet and kind Blythe lovers and their Blythe dolls. Every single person we met was genuine, sincere and radiant. We fell in love with them and hope to see them again somehow, somewhere. And we appreciate so much, the time they spent to talk to us and make us feel welcome.  The memories are all very good. And I think maybe I made a few new friends.

After we returned however, to my horror and disappointment, we found that there were many Margaret Meets Lady Bug dolls with damaged lips. We consulted with Takara to quickly (but to some Blythe fans not quickly enough) find out exactly what was the cause.  How many actually were damaged, how the problem could be solved?  This process involved the manufacturer, the factory, the QC department, the shipping company, the Hong Kong office, the printing company, the packing company, the customer service staff, the translators, the design team, our shop staff, our English language support and the Japanese language support.  Schedules were confirmed with all of the above and letters were sent to all the customers individually that bought the doll as they were sold by lottery and we had their e- mail addresses.

Limited Edition dolls are always special but they are also always an experiment. This is one of the reasons we keep the numbers limited (it's like making prototypes each time).  The process from start to finish takes about one year.  We try to be as innovative as possible with the doll as well as the package. When we work with a collaborator we try to realize their ideas and their wishes as much as possible within the guidelines of the toy industry and with the reality that the product will be made in a factory by machines.  We hope that each Limited Edition doll is unique in its own right and that whoever purchases one will fall in love with her.  We appreciate the feedback and positive criticism that will help us improve with each new doll.  Please do not hesitate to write to me directly at: agents@cwctokyo.com with your feelings.  I take everyone very seriously.

The next two Limited Editions are taking longer to complete than originally planned.  That includes the summer doll with Roxy and the anniversary limited, Cinema Princess. We are looking forward to seeing how they will turn out and hope you will, too.

I have to get back to work now to get our 4th anniversary event rolling.  In just two more weeks we will be seeing the one-off original Blythe styled by invited designers and artists walk the catwalk. I hope some of you will be able to come to Japan for this event. If so, PLEASE let me know you are visiting.  I would want you to be a part of all the festivities.

Junko Wong
Director/Producer
CWC