tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11248131664360811632024-03-06T19:33:32.263-08:00DollcraftModifying and crafting for Barbie, Monster High, Ever After High and moreGingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-16480634380911463112018-08-27T22:07:00.000-07:002018-09-02T10:33:47.306-07:00New Ken Bodies ComparisonKen has a new bod!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7D48lMmO2X0mgt_wKBpN_qi_qGyVOE_pJkCIkKdqZRM7dTf9brh07gHYC9U1AHJUFX_yMTBThh01G2hipYk5rSDoiu70VPhhcCH1TeDmKeXu_63YAFe9YHyZOVZOrxRKKtpvi9D6d5T9/s1600/DSC_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7D48lMmO2X0mgt_wKBpN_qi_qGyVOE_pJkCIkKdqZRM7dTf9brh07gHYC9U1AHJUFX_yMTBThh01G2hipYk5rSDoiu70VPhhcCH1TeDmKeXu_63YAFe9YHyZOVZOrxRKKtpvi9D6d5T9/s400/DSC_0076.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It took me awhile to notice. On the shelf, it's not as dramatic a difference as Barbie's new bodies were. But there is more than you'd expect.<br />
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While Barbie got Curvy, Tall, and Petite (I only reviewed <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2016/03/why-i-dont-skinny-shame-my-dolls.html">Curvy</a>), Ken Fashionistas now come in Slim, Original, and Broad. Gentlemen, time to take off your clothes. </div>
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At the moment I don't have an old Kens to compare... but does Original Ken look extra trim and built to you? I feel like this one should be called Muscle Ken. Even his biceps are huge! </div>
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Slim Ken is quite slim. It gives him sort of an adolescent look, which makes his head seem a bit large? But that is less noticeable when wearing clothes. Broad Ken doesn't look fat at all- this is simply a good example of different body types. (So, sadly, there is no Dadbod Ken. Get a <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2016/02/mimi-bobeck-review-fat-dolls.html">Drew Carey </a>doll instead.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwxBT7WNsn-5p0W2R8yxjsjr0PK_ljN1MndbVaP-HqMwrZydEHE8BAhCW8mTJRWa8q01Xa7dWIaoT-4byXtNaNS58rbmp1Xb2ODMQ5Q1FhL4pS9sLZz2mSTbOdYZ-mViF7ecgQaIjCaQR/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="556" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwxBT7WNsn-5p0W2R8yxjsjr0PK_ljN1MndbVaP-HqMwrZydEHE8BAhCW8mTJRWa8q01Xa7dWIaoT-4byXtNaNS58rbmp1Xb2ODMQ5Q1FhL4pS9sLZz2mSTbOdYZ-mViF7ecgQaIjCaQR/s640/DSC_0088.jpg" width="556" /></a></div>
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The next big question regards clothing sharing. This was a source of much distress for Barbie designers when they came out with the new line. I think with Ken, they decided to let those worries go... Slim Ken looks like those silly "after" pictures in weight loss ads (which, by the way, are always lies!) and Broad Ken can't get Slim's shorts over his thighs. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No Brotherhood of the Traveling Pants.</td></tr>
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Side note on this Original Ken's outfit: I didn't realize how awesome his shoes were when I bought them! Check out these spikes!<br />
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That's all on bodies, for now! Thank you, Mattel for continuing to diversify your line. Keep up the good work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsKCZs5GQapMU_dq04vvx_JtG9nw4ymle9ta82ih-457CvJ3xR4Qg7AjM9sPgbeXmHpvkX5JwaQDUh09BEpT3GC3Nph8sXv8y3qC-dvykYKri123VvFk7EGuQf1W25xiN_8Xh-reagLpU/s1600/IMG_9850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxsKCZs5GQapMU_dq04vvx_JtG9nw4ymle9ta82ih-457CvJ3xR4Qg7AjM9sPgbeXmHpvkX5JwaQDUh09BEpT3GC3Nph8sXv8y3qC-dvykYKri123VvFk7EGuQf1W25xiN_8Xh-reagLpU/s400/IMG_9850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dollcraft is now on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thedollcraft/">Instagram</a>! Follow me for lots of 1/6 scale fun. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1BOHEAdMpJmFNUuIVkXk4rB332ikBhcjaptBji5ZRAowPubN0zz0NnNQN-UPQ_LSHiqqZABwd2DbMEwWZag8XvmKTRkInL8-wRpkW4JRtZ5qRKXWE_M12ceQrK0fqOLwJ61XAj4Xu8_O/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1BOHEAdMpJmFNUuIVkXk4rB332ikBhcjaptBji5ZRAowPubN0zz0NnNQN-UPQ_LSHiqqZABwd2DbMEwWZag8XvmKTRkInL8-wRpkW4JRtZ5qRKXWE_M12ceQrK0fqOLwJ61XAj4Xu8_O/s640/DSC_0013.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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Every now and then, Mattel reads my mind. I had a vision for a construction doll I could display in my office (two guys in my office have toys on their desks, so I figured it was socially acceptable). I planned to make safety gear myself, but I needed a hard hat. And in 2017, the same year I started working in construction, so did Barbie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudIvC7f8Zkdhao775ltztvwpoWhtWCAAFaCRbPPCyhrwBc4pjsZ-KHO3Ll05qYlFkRRbi65EYOSfqxaoEzbkuPKgjTpyZA2LeXsADpjasmEQeTgzjLiHNwzETAju1AQnzBfBV0izGRETW/s1600/918%252B8JcXgYL._SY606_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="415" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudIvC7f8Zkdhao775ltztvwpoWhtWCAAFaCRbPPCyhrwBc4pjsZ-KHO3Ll05qYlFkRRbi65EYOSfqxaoEzbkuPKgjTpyZA2LeXsADpjasmEQeTgzjLiHNwzETAju1AQnzBfBV0izGRETW/s400/918%252B8JcXgYL._SY606_.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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The hard hat! The safety vest! The tool belt! Just one change... I'm working in Hawaii, and I wanted Moana, a Polynesian doll, to be my carpenter. Moana is a Disney doll made by Hasbro. Her body is a little shorter, and her proportions are more teenage than Barbie's. Although her waist is slightly smaller than Barbie's, her arms and legs seems more muscular. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ94os0lvRcnOf1BOsqbkgTghm2Rdmj8VmZkwiANnCnSh4DP9wq2_JTSXdwPaz_NLDPuLvmwcRNHluxyki7Q2ZsEiNR3y-xzWF1JYgolC6B-Ca_JNMAgQRPzNE4HRwPWx7Ytz2nkpkcp5o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-30+at+2.15.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="692" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ94os0lvRcnOf1BOsqbkgTghm2Rdmj8VmZkwiANnCnSh4DP9wq2_JTSXdwPaz_NLDPuLvmwcRNHluxyki7Q2ZsEiNR3y-xzWF1JYgolC6B-Ca_JNMAgQRPzNE4HRwPWx7Ytz2nkpkcp5o/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-03-30+at+2.15.55+PM.png" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Moana has elbow and knee articulation, which seems important for construction work. </td></tr>
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In construction, proper attire is call <a href="https://www.osha.gov/Publications/construction_ppe.html">PPE</a>: Personal Protective Equipment. Barbie makes it halfway to fitting these guidelines.</div>
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<ul>
<li>hard hat</li>
<li>steel-toed boots</li>
<li>safety vest</li>
<li>gloves</li>
<li>safety glasses</li>
<li>ear plugs</li>
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My husband says I'm a big nerd for getting Moana's safety gear perfect. But then he admired her safety vest and told me that it's a Class Two vest because it includes horizontal and vertical stripes, and it is compliant with <a href="http://www.publications.usace.army.mil/Portals/76/Publications/EngineerManuals/EM_385-1-1.pdf">EM 385 1-1</a>. So... who's the nerd again? (He's a construction manager.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaI30TKCAed4pJ9XkKcwI3K1Pz877SatDU-9C9ZLlGwtWh5f6-EQptsIaujl6IiokgacETXCB5ELpXD1icfXo2K2C1-K8L2wjRFoKUEFrv6o5zVB0yBfn3YEed8Wkv64fl_7f42APOzEky/s1600/DSC_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaI30TKCAed4pJ9XkKcwI3K1Pz877SatDU-9C9ZLlGwtWh5f6-EQptsIaujl6IiokgacETXCB5ELpXD1icfXo2K2C1-K8L2wjRFoKUEFrv6o5zVB0yBfn3YEed8Wkv64fl_7f42APOzEky/s400/DSC_0031.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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The clothes fit Moana well except for Barbie's tiny work boots. (Moana has beautiful large feet.) I borrowed this pair from the <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2016/09/peacekeepers-review-male-bodies.html?m=0">Peacekeepers</a>. For safety glasses, I bought a pair of Monster High Goulia's gym class goggles from ebay. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6brO31dr1RQHymR7x3VNAX63IDgnNF-7VHoftnnRjPcajnaXOBsY7g3e7tZWJ0XnpbriiqGdPtyk_3GsyfKYXQfk9Tfa-QFUh3BWWR0vZfPiVigmzmukFBOkPKjstSaEl97x4kEOaU9S/s1600/DSC_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6brO31dr1RQHymR7x3VNAX63IDgnNF-7VHoftnnRjPcajnaXOBsY7g3e7tZWJ0XnpbriiqGdPtyk_3GsyfKYXQfk9Tfa-QFUh3BWWR0vZfPiVigmzmukFBOkPKjstSaEl97x4kEOaU9S/s400/DSC_0056.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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I spray-painted Moana's pink hard hat to a standard white. You can, of course, buy a pink hard hat in real life. I don't want one myself. Actually, I regret clicking on one pink safety item while I was shopping on amazon for steel-toed boots. The recommendations immediately barfed a multitude of pink at me:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQVvxZ42CrNcZsz-0aD0i32uaJC5l2kwX3tpSKGxrdWQb2BknzaAn1R3Bndjj0kyMq-PwfxyYwmCtMG4Avvu-GRB-j_hESWe-cv8y9JgBtJMg00BSp06LhqOysmEPSWhYwgKagg5N56Ih/s1600/pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="942" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQVvxZ42CrNcZsz-0aD0i32uaJC5l2kwX3tpSKGxrdWQb2BknzaAn1R3Bndjj0kyMq-PwfxyYwmCtMG4Avvu-GRB-j_hESWe-cv8y9JgBtJMg00BSp06LhqOysmEPSWhYwgKagg5N56Ih/s640/pink.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">too much pink.</td></tr>
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I painted Moana's hands to look like gloves- specifically, this pair of gloves:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PxTmCLZwizlnS1OcnN_jn1Biz0x1QBMkCu8o06pO3mXK3SY0HKWCRw1iCz7y_9uYDIidrOdAIJcFzP9QPaWow5gaTYwi3q_Q12TsoYhwP3XBJ3ZdoXXLRiamG2M9UdGlG_mJH43SUidJ/s1600/IMG_8120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PxTmCLZwizlnS1OcnN_jn1Biz0x1QBMkCu8o06pO3mXK3SY0HKWCRw1iCz7y_9uYDIidrOdAIJcFzP9QPaWow5gaTYwi3q_Q12TsoYhwP3XBJ3ZdoXXLRiamG2M9UdGlG_mJH43SUidJ/s1600/IMG_8120.JPG" /></a></div>
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Last, I made earplugs with blue thread and orange sculpy clay. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx84ZKsaQWGo5Eml3gSWDH06GMyZHmROZLnHyGNdgGlTCWEMGt7aAg1u_D4ujo43LtjXx0Ll6hAUKiJGpeL2T9k2_tw23DEyUXVdPlKCyeL_TTEQL-AD7mz7NlJP9rnW0bfvaQOPrU4Zo/s1600/DSC_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx84ZKsaQWGo5Eml3gSWDH06GMyZHmROZLnHyGNdgGlTCWEMGt7aAg1u_D4ujo43LtjXx0Ll6hAUKiJGpeL2T9k2_tw23DEyUXVdPlKCyeL_TTEQL-AD7mz7NlJP9rnW0bfvaQOPrU4Zo/s400/DSC_0010.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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I painted the shoelaces and the tools on Moana's belt. Moana is a carpenter. Her tool belt accessory is fantastic, although it's very dainty compared to what she'd wear in real life.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNjHojC3ie3rhyphenhyphenBPcBGhvdu34ZyV8KpyIUxy7227EXCDUC1YpaocfzwQl7E9-blBdCsl5FeNv4tPQbLBDeHKG4i_ArXFKGYdQLX4XK-T8ugFNVfC_ehE-NkRu2AKF93zmnQf2NyNPbom6/s1600/IMG_8685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNjHojC3ie3rhyphenhyphenBPcBGhvdu34ZyV8KpyIUxy7227EXCDUC1YpaocfzwQl7E9-blBdCsl5FeNv4tPQbLBDeHKG4i_ArXFKGYdQLX4XK-T8ugFNVfC_ehE-NkRu2AKF93zmnQf2NyNPbom6/s320/IMG_8685.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hammer, pliers, scissors, measuring tape, wrench, pliers, screwdrivers</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsupBaLfZF0WB3IuWA73QEb-GIEMjbAPzuGrm6Lss8P-BwKY7J931_pFNoyfi7-fy6sEEklVotq7RkuKsKi8OmQiZqnH4nJIqNr0CuLwijOClXcB_XGTNcULyxvk5HetoRGR_jTudoW-e/s1600/tool-belt-carpenter-25968687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsupBaLfZF0WB3IuWA73QEb-GIEMjbAPzuGrm6Lss8P-BwKY7J931_pFNoyfi7-fy6sEEklVotq7RkuKsKi8OmQiZqnH4nJIqNr0CuLwijOClXcB_XGTNcULyxvk5HetoRGR_jTudoW-e/s320/tool-belt-carpenter-25968687.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
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Since Moana is young, she is an apprentice carpenter. She works in a union, so she earns about $35 per hour. When she's finished training (in four years, like college) she'll become a journeyman carpenter and earn $42 per hour. After that, Moana will continue demonstrating her great leadership skills and become a foreman, earning $46 per hour. (Overtime work will be at an even higher rate.)<br />
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After that, she might hang up her work belt and switch over to management as a Superintendent. She'll be salaried rather than hourly, and might earn less, depending on what sort of deal she negotiates. But, that job may come with perks, like a company truck, and she may be happy to quit doing physical labor. She may need a college degree to switch to management, but since she's been saving money this whole time, she won't have to take out any loans. (Everything I'm describing here varies a lot...)<br />
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Anyway, the moral of this story is, if you are able-bodied and good with your hands, work for a union!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisddzeqQCbuZ-BELWLR9ejOgHju1lUXv8gBpl8aG_zO6MlTADy-ZgBs_t_4k6Sb-5tV7MJd1MpWSq4m3sAI0gD2U9bx6MxA4TZcUF6Vq6n8QQD_NMXuUAUGtnigCFmXn7pZgTOQSrqMkl2/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisddzeqQCbuZ-BELWLR9ejOgHju1lUXv8gBpl8aG_zO6MlTADy-ZgBs_t_4k6Sb-5tV7MJd1MpWSq4m3sAI0gD2U9bx6MxA4TZcUF6Vq6n8QQD_NMXuUAUGtnigCFmXn7pZgTOQSrqMkl2/s400/DSC_0039.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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(By the way, I'm not a laborer; I'm just a part time administrator. I do own all of this safety gear, but I rarely go out in the field.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUDgIhb6i3cfXgI1UFJlSOm2MdzHalFJhtyOk4J1kmn6RGamxpBmU088Tu2_ds0rOlnIIJrEF0PkodoDTVaVsykd-P2kTuIwZrm8z95ggyg1q8vlS659_3fQ6Ys6ze0UsWf8ewGsq3sbG/s1600/DSC_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUDgIhb6i3cfXgI1UFJlSOm2MdzHalFJhtyOk4J1kmn6RGamxpBmU088Tu2_ds0rOlnIIJrEF0PkodoDTVaVsykd-P2kTuIwZrm8z95ggyg1q8vlS659_3fQ6Ys6ze0UsWf8ewGsq3sbG/s400/DSC_0017.jpg" width="285" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3QRqmWDsFpX8Jd4mbUWzz-91tVr7TSAMU1PH7LVvzvwzoJVHc_VO88vwdvAEbiBRxwIioYa6QGcuEYRnvKsxeay5zmgJKLYiusntFcsvRFybAfEJA0C4qCWPst-eXYEte61Men5OXTpw/s1600/DSC_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3QRqmWDsFpX8Jd4mbUWzz-91tVr7TSAMU1PH7LVvzvwzoJVHc_VO88vwdvAEbiBRxwIioYa6QGcuEYRnvKsxeay5zmgJKLYiusntFcsvRFybAfEJA0C4qCWPst-eXYEte61Men5OXTpw/s400/DSC_0026.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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Moana receives compliments regularly at work. It's been fun to see adult men so delighted by a doll.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P3hAosPQ-sjR0qbOaMuUOxLJSkUGrT4WuZjGPPA6kkJAYndMluZQCHrqjkovvIohNjwg7Ualpt2GOQeerUN4Kd7KRbOVNJ1CwmOj24_K3DNfOGUYPMHKI4e3T3NF1eBjmBBz1EziUIy3/s1600/desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="960" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P3hAosPQ-sjR0qbOaMuUOxLJSkUGrT4WuZjGPPA6kkJAYndMluZQCHrqjkovvIohNjwg7Ualpt2GOQeerUN4Kd7KRbOVNJ1CwmOj24_K3DNfOGUYPMHKI4e3T3NF1eBjmBBz1EziUIy3/s400/desk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-12551572229965477882018-02-20T17:00:00.000-08:002018-04-17T17:15:38.343-07:00American Teen Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm so happy to welcome some new teenagers to my collection, all dressed in the fashions of the late 90's. I acquired my favorite four of Dieter Meller's single wave dolls. Most of the American Teens can be found on ebay for around $20 each. I learned about these dolls from <a href="http://blackdollcollecting.blogspot.com/2012/09/four-of-nine-american-teens.html?m=1">Black Doll Collecting</a>, but wanted to add some extra images. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHVhuACEIVfwZTjtoUpjCpTuLELfEdtpWIa_lZI1gVmZurREBXVkaRcC5uziyyi9v7qsgbjQherF8wESJzRb7jGgOU4u3XRMlhibwkBQSat_7-gDFcnWCEGZ5OQmgamS-Xs2CFIX2MZpn/s1600/DSC_0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHVhuACEIVfwZTjtoUpjCpTuLELfEdtpWIa_lZI1gVmZurREBXVkaRcC5uziyyi9v7qsgbjQherF8wESJzRb7jGgOU4u3XRMlhibwkBQSat_7-gDFcnWCEGZ5OQmgamS-Xs2CFIX2MZpn/s640/DSC_0063.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoe, Dominique, Benjamin and Alex</td></tr>
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<h3>
Zoe</h3>
First, Zoe, the goth girl. Goth was a fashion fad when I was in high school, and this doll brings back a fun mix of memories. I admit I didn't know anyone who dressed quite like this in Smalltown, Wyoming, but there were inspirations in this genre. Zoe wears a long black coat that is soft and has large pockets. The coolest coats from my school were sort of Matrix inspired; I remember a glossy faux leather one in particular.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZUqcDOvrnPipjFqUH6BvYXOJRXbAiOPy_DccMAtrx7Kopro4x6fZTpJzw0hrZDs09hC246yKnqGPrSxCaKqhxqGH6eqU1EWjXUEuksVks3rfwLBp0ZG0_wd23J22FQNxRKvkeQJLocpN/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZUqcDOvrnPipjFqUH6BvYXOJRXbAiOPy_DccMAtrx7Kopro4x6fZTpJzw0hrZDs09hC246yKnqGPrSxCaKqhxqGH6eqU1EWjXUEuksVks3rfwLBp0ZG0_wd23J22FQNxRKvkeQJLocpN/s400/DSC_0070.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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The part of this outfit that made me laugh is Zoe's truly enormous pants! Yes, I remember these. You can't honestly call them flared or bell-bottoms... they are so large at the ankle, they look more like a ball gown. I also saw pants like these where girls cut up the side and added extra fabric to create a large flare. Preferably in a contrasting color. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90fc3v9XGegedQNfkHVYAAwskdQzGkIwsoomXQCXEiDpkU8xyePfD2DxW53ZW1HBnsD9A4n1HaeZfXpaS54weWYjcrONmzX8o3B4YYgpAvyhnRLJhyz3S4EB_n_hTf_CU8XebMxHW14UZ/s1600/DSC_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90fc3v9XGegedQNfkHVYAAwskdQzGkIwsoomXQCXEiDpkU8xyePfD2DxW53ZW1HBnsD9A4n1HaeZfXpaS54weWYjcrONmzX8o3B4YYgpAvyhnRLJhyz3S4EB_n_hTf_CU8XebMxHW14UZ/s400/DSC_0076.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The all-black ensemble is almost boring, however. The way I remember goth style was with a mix of colors, even though black was always dominant. The pants I wanted (but never bought) were red plaid with lots of zippers. Hot Topic carried this sort of thing, but it was out of my price range, and way out of my rebellion range. (I did paint my fingernails black. Once.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6RdwLIx31Z7c2ysogHjJBKN_wiNy6dtkG-4al2O-rBgbjFsJv-QnjCjkiFg7rxHsyfVGfO77GzddPqf4-Vbli7n9cDUxttzBqCndv3un8TzD4-jwtOaW9VQzDpuD4KjuLuPm4MPprnbW/s1600/IMG_8146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6RdwLIx31Z7c2ysogHjJBKN_wiNy6dtkG-4al2O-rBgbjFsJv-QnjCjkiFg7rxHsyfVGfO77GzddPqf4-Vbli7n9cDUxttzBqCndv3un8TzD4-jwtOaW9VQzDpuD4KjuLuPm4MPprnbW/s320/IMG_8146.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So cool.</td></tr>
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Zoe is all-around more rebellious than anyone at my school. She has multiple facial piercings (labret and eyebrow) plus 5 cartilage piercings in each ear. The piercing are not molded, but actually mobile, for extra realism. She also wears an extra large silver cross necklace.</div>
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Zoe has black eyeliner and black lipstick (okay, I did that once, on a track trip). She has a big, beautiful smile that shows her teeth. I guess she's a <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PerkyGoth">Perky Goth</a>. Her eyes are painted a bit cock-eyed, which makes it hard to photograph eye-contact with her. Her hair is dark black, in a way that seems like she dyed it. That's another thing from my teen years, but the goths at my school dyed their hair wild and bright colors rather than black. When I bought Zoe, I thought she had pale white skin like a vampire, but it was just a poor photograph (too much flash!). Zoe has a typical white-girl skin tone, but her high contrast can make her seem extra white. Also, her face vinyl has just a small bit of translucency. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Dt9Ks8YNO6CDEywNX71C20pXi1Wige_suWatlBsyo9hPFYJKV-TtQ2PYNHlOy7Ngl83AJ-QwikM0nSTNeVha089UloFM_Kah5HrYaBMH9C9KJbH5GpAp2Z7dhG6xv0-0nchaQjxhmt72/s1600/IMG_8644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Dt9Ks8YNO6CDEywNX71C20pXi1Wige_suWatlBsyo9hPFYJKV-TtQ2PYNHlOy7Ngl83AJ-QwikM0nSTNeVha089UloFM_Kah5HrYaBMH9C9KJbH5GpAp2Z7dhG6xv0-0nchaQjxhmt72/s400/IMG_8644.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
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All the American Teen dolls have stocky bodies. They seem at first to have 7 points of articulation. (I later found that the knees and ankles bend slightly, for a total of 11 points.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kGn3zEpVqNb1k5RYfeX-1WAIqHMGFsMgGgTxYQPM5nBULIXiL4UFz_tdKQNP3g4uzIZRQyadQVGNIX72U0HFzb1LY8PiOVBJc09b6De1P_FItolawOJlVqHzVbLXhN6OBcyxI1xUxqW_/s1600/DSC_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kGn3zEpVqNb1k5RYfeX-1WAIqHMGFsMgGgTxYQPM5nBULIXiL4UFz_tdKQNP3g4uzIZRQyadQVGNIX72U0HFzb1LY8PiOVBJc09b6De1P_FItolawOJlVqHzVbLXhN6OBcyxI1xUxqW_/s400/DSC_0078.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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The upper arm/upper thigh twist joint is an odd choice. I wish bending knees and elbows had been chosen instead. There isn't much I can do with this twist joint if it isn't paired with more classic options.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TjcG7Pp9X8bS506kKOSlOALHOgPVZiNL7SCphYD5PYNTvzmVnvoI34lFwkcoE01kqsKR2zQZiyO4l-CSX_6TF-0eDE1RLpC_dsIHN1picqlBv42BZxgTQj8dcJnEWwSoQEeg2GvBgQlA/s1600/DSC_0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TjcG7Pp9X8bS506kKOSlOALHOgPVZiNL7SCphYD5PYNTvzmVnvoI34lFwkcoE01kqsKR2zQZiyO4l-CSX_6TF-0eDE1RLpC_dsIHN1picqlBv42BZxgTQj8dcJnEWwSoQEeg2GvBgQlA/s400/DSC_0079.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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Zoe can sit flat like a typical Barbie doll, but it isn't very graceful, and won't fit well at the dinner table.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm58xe1bxS2KrSBScPQIoKh3lSyS7D7BbSyrutjsWWMQqi984qDSt3Hw7I_bWEAxl3aqS0a6p0G1_EqnJyEvqXscoxl-fx0sngLsEob-qeUMhzd1ofv1GXkNt3jaN2BJEd1t8JNTWhLpuM/s1600/DSC_0081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm58xe1bxS2KrSBScPQIoKh3lSyS7D7BbSyrutjsWWMQqi984qDSt3Hw7I_bWEAxl3aqS0a6p0G1_EqnJyEvqXscoxl-fx0sngLsEob-qeUMhzd1ofv1GXkNt3jaN2BJEd1t8JNTWhLpuM/s400/DSC_0081.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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Still, I like Zoe's thick shape. She reminds me a little of Lammily. Body image is a big deal for teens. When all my dolls are back in the same house again, I'll update my <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2016/03/why-i-dont-skinny-shame-my-dolls.html">doll body comparison post. </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAjV359S1B8Ad7zVCjD9akxsliIlu9B2X8X3R8axiq9wGv0bvkCsMphVSNXxUsxzxkFNq4zvtSwczU1XrlLC_Q9JrcMqFw3fI8bZ0Ve7jMjFscBR_icwUz78FtELsikvFme15qARUR8AL/s1600/DSC_0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAjV359S1B8Ad7zVCjD9akxsliIlu9B2X8X3R8axiq9wGv0bvkCsMphVSNXxUsxzxkFNq4zvtSwczU1XrlLC_Q9JrcMqFw3fI8bZ0Ve7jMjFscBR_icwUz78FtELsikvFme15qARUR8AL/s400/DSC_0116.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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Zoe borrowed Dominique's turtleneck for a little extra color. I think this helps her outfit, but still doesn't display the wildness of her extra-wide pants. She also borrowed Alex's boots (I remember goth culture being big on boots- no idea why Zoe is wearing clogs) but the male foot is larger, and her pants cover it up anyway. </div>
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<h3>
Dominique</h3>
Doll #2 is my unapologetic favorite: Dominique.<br />
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I don't know as much about the styles in Dominque's area and culture. She's a young black woman growing up in a single parent home in St. Louis, according to her profile on the back of the box. She's been accepted into college and plans to be a teacher.<br />
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I do feel like this outfit could almost work in 2018, if you just traded out the blue jeans. The extra wide leg and stone wash style dates the outfit, but otherwise it's a beautiful and classic look.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdwUMikHEAoEfy4t0sHubf84pMVVgycdCxcNsVeph3cQUsxS74oG2JFIUSOvQErCJyWdszRtdIiBqIxwfC1r4TOWh_6mpqW7PKFtkWbVlVX0OSpI9IZ_TVyQUYhpQY_urxDgHpjMwf4hC/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdwUMikHEAoEfy4t0sHubf84pMVVgycdCxcNsVeph3cQUsxS74oG2JFIUSOvQErCJyWdszRtdIiBqIxwfC1r4TOWh_6mpqW7PKFtkWbVlVX0OSpI9IZ_TVyQUYhpQY_urxDgHpjMwf4hC/s400/DSC_0085.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dominque wears a purple turtleneck (exactly the same as Zoe's black turtleneck), jeans, and a headscarf with light primary colors. Her coat is gorgeous- a subtle red purple in faux leather, with silver buttons. The quality of this jacket is excellent, with tiny stitches and lining. I'm not sure what this doll originally cost, but her clothing was made with care.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXnkqtd9MpvnkHKbLKjhqSPnfSaJ6IvE5mbSsAucHUdfCuEzycbSFrud4feuOH7-RxQx8E-YxpFkvIuZwFlr02VK_2lvGryjC4i7SSiwfrmKDKmn5P-oJGofSsM0i8mru8ufur_Glp62U/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXnkqtd9MpvnkHKbLKjhqSPnfSaJ6IvE5mbSsAucHUdfCuEzycbSFrud4feuOH7-RxQx8E-YxpFkvIuZwFlr02VK_2lvGryjC4i7SSiwfrmKDKmn5P-oJGofSsM0i8mru8ufur_Glp62U/s400/DSC_0089.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Zoe's shoes are plain white sneakers with orange stripes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnOWXd8Jzt5oSz9ratkW6EH5-k17K0Ohmuta4PiuV17GqfCLPt3gnmhLoWebAR8doxLumKbPCBacD7nq29spqiD8IgQDuy31U2vSu-C4MUis4vPPMs_sm62CE_KisQX9sVeKz3jFDgeEI/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnOWXd8Jzt5oSz9ratkW6EH5-k17K0Ohmuta4PiuV17GqfCLPt3gnmhLoWebAR8doxLumKbPCBacD7nq29spqiD8IgQDuy31U2vSu-C4MUis4vPPMs_sm62CE_KisQX9sVeKz3jFDgeEI/s400/DSC_0092.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This girl is so beautiful. She had a different face sculpt than Zoe, with a wide nose and a subtle closed mouth smile. Her makeup is simple, basic hoop earrings, and a dignified headscarf. Maybe the color choices on the scarf are dated, but the style looks excellent.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-py3XRROqztF0bbD2A_JHDKllDl2p4iS6RSJupdFh0s3W1mjTQU2X-KJtB9-wsbcMdAe9wXeECp2B94t5viVpE2PhXm-rDCS24-WBQt3ory6NxpZ9AVeqvljEYtUdcuRZc5XQNnd2CZW/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-py3XRROqztF0bbD2A_JHDKllDl2p4iS6RSJupdFh0s3W1mjTQU2X-KJtB9-wsbcMdAe9wXeECp2B94t5viVpE2PhXm-rDCS24-WBQt3ory6NxpZ9AVeqvljEYtUdcuRZc5XQNnd2CZW/s640/DSC_0093.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Benjamin</h3>
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Next up is Benjamin, our corn-row rocking doll. Benjamin is a young black man, slightly darker in complexion than Dominque. He wears a red and black hoodies and camouflage cargo pants. Those pants are another trend I remember from my teen days, although they are probably always cool. (My favorite 90s camo was a camouflage T-shirt imprinted with the words: Now you can't see me!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYzmXCRm1klnKxRkZPSc5uSrc56ECGHXYamltQLLuz-HR8PJL-pecCUtRYWfeBQbPnN6PsubJPG1nrAlGCZ6jPrUvmT3ZUf3LOoki7306Pjvn0lnkn1vivfuoyp0jNgKR7SA1Os2iS1I9/s1600/DSC_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYzmXCRm1klnKxRkZPSc5uSrc56ECGHXYamltQLLuz-HR8PJL-pecCUtRYWfeBQbPnN6PsubJPG1nrAlGCZ6jPrUvmT3ZUf3LOoki7306Pjvn0lnkn1vivfuoyp0jNgKR7SA1Os2iS1I9/s400/DSC_0096.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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His hoodie has a real hood- another good quality sign. Benjamin's cornrows look excellent from every angle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuSrJ8egYHr8LOPXDoy4G5WptDFinBAJHo-igIqcIxvwK2PTHSTBEGl0j7ziWyGJMpbW0OABDL_wFtrpgfRN43m1s-aVOALiEQGXPibXmpvnOHOK7aUncJPeDeTYNSXTgKdHzFE1JM81e/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuSrJ8egYHr8LOPXDoy4G5WptDFinBAJHo-igIqcIxvwK2PTHSTBEGl0j7ziWyGJMpbW0OABDL_wFtrpgfRN43m1s-aVOALiEQGXPibXmpvnOHOK7aUncJPeDeTYNSXTgKdHzFE1JM81e/s400/DSC_0098.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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Benjamin's shoes have a fancy basketball shoe vibe, though I can't pinpoint a specific brand. The pockets on the cargo pants are functional. I'm impressed by the realism.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapE5XsMYyVZbY9PTu6KbQLRHxZTMOy-lFtnTaBjMYIl5HAsXUhtBAJJEbxRfF9M4VOsO7q0XHBDrf8bNhzHCqvRnCcy422OxSZguIz2zbEfltMML6DbgWZnHgolmcFW6JjKa1GD5TbbEq/s1600/DSC_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapE5XsMYyVZbY9PTu6KbQLRHxZTMOy-lFtnTaBjMYIl5HAsXUhtBAJJEbxRfF9M4VOsO7q0XHBDrf8bNhzHCqvRnCcy422OxSZguIz2zbEfltMML6DbgWZnHgolmcFW6JjKa1GD5TbbEq/s400/DSC_0101.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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A look at Benjamin sans clothes: basically the same construction as Zoe, same joints and stockiness.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDraOwYLqGSD-4Wv7_OeOJZN5TN6IZijTkQegTkApRDVf_yHmrrH9A6mj4vmx_lMsdq1V7tcsGCOt5IgTD6HJ4Z4q8qzc6MufpwirpoYtA2CvwNZnYFqkBLUxifbAftob7wRm-GvUxY0T0/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDraOwYLqGSD-4Wv7_OeOJZN5TN6IZijTkQegTkApRDVf_yHmrrH9A6mj4vmx_lMsdq1V7tcsGCOt5IgTD6HJ4Z4q8qzc6MufpwirpoYtA2CvwNZnYFqkBLUxifbAftob7wRm-GvUxY0T0/s400/DSC_0102.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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The boy dolls are slightly taller, and the arms and legs are thicker. The hands and feet are larger as well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4b9rrZ476d0SlzOYEtzjUV-wuqw2gc_YGcFrV1a84HcCyvDmE6yFBsDzeI1_bSqS03feh8ev4NgXH4xe5YlHeGrh1W1kvTzVyT0ye76SsGb-SqJcN9UbMjWo_AFzIVxrrTt3I6eyGBFZ/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4b9rrZ476d0SlzOYEtzjUV-wuqw2gc_YGcFrV1a84HcCyvDmE6yFBsDzeI1_bSqS03feh8ev4NgXH4xe5YlHeGrh1W1kvTzVyT0ye76SsGb-SqJcN9UbMjWo_AFzIVxrrTt3I6eyGBFZ/s400/DSC_0104.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Alex</h3>
The last doll is Alex, the punk doll. I'm not convinced this is a 90s style at all; he feels more 1980s punk to me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD3AgbSbSIsv6P8mznM1lu32PuNsYehI8oc3dkuufSZ6C5AHa_b79EWPFm65yK5wvDdHp18Vwhm3L0dX7VpgOluUivAu3f4cjP7VdqnWi8VGbBc54UFD4s5YLONB3TXKmlOK9NTuHVbBl/s1600/DSC_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTD3AgbSbSIsv6P8mznM1lu32PuNsYehI8oc3dkuufSZ6C5AHa_b79EWPFm65yK5wvDdHp18Vwhm3L0dX7VpgOluUivAu3f4cjP7VdqnWi8VGbBc54UFD4s5YLONB3TXKmlOK9NTuHVbBl/s400/DSC_0106.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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Alex has a thick, pinkish red mohawk, several piercing, and seven tattoos. Again, he is much more rebellious than anyone I went to high school with. I only had one friend with a tattoo, and she had to get her mom's permission. (Also, she regretted it as an adult and got a cover-up tattoo.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GLHyJ_JRzUaK5tiERoiZLX5jOjdqChbu5t1sjYFOkV72VtfPQRYSWYjeYHTEkrsRDAt-MxCAy0jbP8AWvqR_uLLr7FF-552-opYGnnhx0heB6nys8UNgYM3eshwg8u0mfHFnm7V0zshK/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GLHyJ_JRzUaK5tiERoiZLX5jOjdqChbu5t1sjYFOkV72VtfPQRYSWYjeYHTEkrsRDAt-MxCAy0jbP8AWvqR_uLLr7FF-552-opYGnnhx0heB6nys8UNgYM3eshwg8u0mfHFnm7V0zshK/s400/DSC_0107.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was excited that Alex had a fully functioning belt. I started to remove it... but all the studs began to fall off. It looked cool anyway!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfkoFOiqZOqpX5VChe4YbvoCrcbkyTXY-ryLm8oB2YJr9QdALzylvjoQHnh_WJ89uS3qm0l0X68sTf_La2hRl5tjHhXCbH0fuaxm8n3Ep2mb53kTTFisHho_Wqp6Gf8ND9ZMXxmyagb10/s1600/DSC_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfkoFOiqZOqpX5VChe4YbvoCrcbkyTXY-ryLm8oB2YJr9QdALzylvjoQHnh_WJ89uS3qm0l0X68sTf_La2hRl5tjHhXCbH0fuaxm8n3Ep2mb53kTTFisHho_Wqp6Gf8ND9ZMXxmyagb10/s400/DSC_0109.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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Here's a better look at some of Alex's tattoos. He has the same one in different colors on each arm. I expected a barbed wire tattoo on his arm- that's a 1999 classic. (All of the American Teen dolls have a balancing problem. They function best when leaning forward slightly.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6a0QnBUrU1dng_SymknjDIteKNfHmOuMHhsBnqkYsY1Ze7Dg0yo1tjgmjIMF7Gq3GhskWDPWxkU5PZSAo-J6B4M_VbjbItfAptAtTvqrPKFkhv91fZ-nRE53EssS56zKkLjw1AHYxkZr7/s1600/DSC_0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6a0QnBUrU1dng_SymknjDIteKNfHmOuMHhsBnqkYsY1Ze7Dg0yo1tjgmjIMF7Gq3GhskWDPWxkU5PZSAo-J6B4M_VbjbItfAptAtTvqrPKFkhv91fZ-nRE53EssS56zKkLjw1AHYxkZr7/s400/DSC_0113.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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I discovered the internal ankle joint while trying to remove Alex's boot. (I eventually cut a slit in the back.) Perhaps Alex has a future in dance? Otherwise, this isn't a useful joint. </div>
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I don't love Alex, but he still seems like a fun background character. Zoe is rather stuck in a single decade, thought she's lovely and brings a lot of entertainment and good memories. Benjamin and Dominique feel more capable of transcending their decade and fitting into more times and cultures.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowDeZgr5pqFxJg1fFXrdggP5hVFPo5xdsjyHtMtPZz4PxAVA-YEURLNr67UWBgGHoSs3Im__oSI9sPwt1ULJmskPK7Cv_5i3fDjjf8znCHKCGUdmYCGSZS1S4MQSNv6EfqyLtII7k24bM/s1600/IMG_8648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowDeZgr5pqFxJg1fFXrdggP5hVFPo5xdsjyHtMtPZz4PxAVA-YEURLNr67UWBgGHoSs3Im__oSI9sPwt1ULJmskPK7Cv_5i3fDjjf8znCHKCGUdmYCGSZS1S4MQSNv6EfqyLtII7k24bM/s640/IMG_8648.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Dominque is the only doll I bought NIB (New in Box), and the careful packaging and artwork again imply that this doll was well made and not cheap. The back of the back tells us her story, plus quick pics of the other dolls in the collection. I haven't seen Monica, Travis or Daniel on ebay. Maybe they were not as popular. Monica looks like the sort of 90's white girls I saw in magazines and on TV, but never in my town. Travis has another generic though relatively timeless outfit with his polo shirt and newsboy cap. Travis <i>should</i> have a popped collar, and Monica should have chunky highlights in her hair. She looks wealthy, so maybe she wouldn't have butterfly hair clips or platform sandals... Tara captures a few things I remember with her spaghetti strap tank top and low rider jeans. (Does she have a naval ring?)<br />
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Daniel's attire baffles me. I grew up with real life ranchers and farmers, and none of them dressed like him. There was one student who wore a cowboy hat on a daily basis, and many others wore them for special occasions. But I don't remember overalls. Tight Levis and Western shirts are the correct choice. (A western shirt has pearly snap buttons and a yoke.) Even though overalls are acceptable work gear... why overall shorts? This seems like a style for toddlers, not teenagers. Perhaps that was all the rage in a different state, but it would not work in Wyoming!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWH6ZDzyhLAZcCONnKwdOfZdS3XHB90REl1OLarGnyGi8Q7-OzxFxRwG4brmjfoHcCxV26lZxSc45GDDc3wMzm7nkJsz3ILcOZ6vdcsqKRcOViIzki6oNjwdsCqIOJ1K4VIEOQGZwmZjs/s1600/320-RED+1+NEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWH6ZDzyhLAZcCONnKwdOfZdS3XHB90REl1OLarGnyGi8Q7-OzxFxRwG4brmjfoHcCxV26lZxSc45GDDc3wMzm7nkJsz3ILcOZ6vdcsqKRcOViIzki6oNjwdsCqIOJ1K4VIEOQGZwmZjs/s320/320-RED+1+NEW.jpg" width="177" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you want to dress up cowboy style</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Overall, I'm happy with a unique purchase. Looking forward to new adventures for these teens from my past!<br />
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 239px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1558px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 239px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 1558px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 97px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 5395px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 97px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 5395px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-49644590594983659232018-01-15T23:53:00.000-08:002018-04-17T17:19:50.798-07:00Gloria Furniture + Repaint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IS-rJ0ZVPZ55slpupQw44XxWp3kLW-KH_69sipWPEVcHTOMlr2Vjs2Jiz8XHkTigSp8rgYbPYonJvqievzdraw97JY1ZksGCcGtQTxWxdzeM6AvhZv2c9BS4SYTYQYYFURas5K_9F1hQ/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IS-rJ0ZVPZ55slpupQw44XxWp3kLW-KH_69sipWPEVcHTOMlr2Vjs2Jiz8XHkTigSp8rgYbPYonJvqievzdraw97JY1ZksGCcGtQTxWxdzeM6AvhZv2c9BS4SYTYQYYFURas5K_9F1hQ/s640/DSC_0119.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've long admired Gloria doll furniture on ebay, but haven't been able to discover much about it. It seems to be a Barbie knock-off, made and sold in China, and the boxes have a 1990s style. I finally bought two sets I'd been admiring, and didn't realize until receiving them that my dining table was "My Fancy Life" brand. However, it's obviously the same design as Gloria, as the wine glasses and bottle are identical. (If anyone knows anything about these brands, please tell me!) I paid less than $30 for the two items.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPIBYb30f6crc0VihZcdoGNizg59RLLatkrqsMCV12ocAJ6xSCI3O48LGXJX81sqph9HDtqJf_iTbMrI50rlUtGdqHnOrohCu677GFVCPVd2_TyHAjzRpkm18fI2iqH_SaY-ONfGPsEVP/s1600/IMG_8047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPIBYb30f6crc0VihZcdoGNizg59RLLatkrqsMCV12ocAJ6xSCI3O48LGXJX81sqph9HDtqJf_iTbMrI50rlUtGdqHnOrohCu677GFVCPVd2_TyHAjzRpkm18fI2iqH_SaY-ONfGPsEVP/s400/IMG_8047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, Chinese Barbie is allowed to drink, clue #1 that this wasn't sold in the US when I was a 90's kid. But I feel rude calling these designs a knock off; although they are Barbie-sized, they seem to all be original designs and are both clever and practical. Making a doll house is a big desire of mine, and Mattel products haven't filled that void in the way Gloria does. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k60fentQxDbmn4oMqkEZx81r-GOns41DuNLJGzHGhfYa4r1wmVkyYMnVYn8fwUE1XcWNZzWeI3fQl_9DZeX9Jwkl_B6BDRVNoKlIgey65KQJWz2bxyHqpddiY_QW-I1qAFhtVtqolDmj/s1600/IMG_8048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k60fentQxDbmn4oMqkEZx81r-GOns41DuNLJGzHGhfYa4r1wmVkyYMnVYn8fwUE1XcWNZzWeI3fQl_9DZeX9Jwkl_B6BDRVNoKlIgey65KQJWz2bxyHqpddiY_QW-I1qAFhtVtqolDmj/s400/IMG_8048.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The dining room set comes in pieces, cleverly packed into the smallest possible space. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Szij3DFoToWAH1WgPNFJrn_movypxMUG7QKngEJyWYX8QHpRrClaawM3f3cdyYHupd9FhAOmOhODWiMLlCcPR3kBz6t_o6d5sg7aX5ZTV8TKfUX6JPThRJN23WxAAKCKg_e_coPqEGrQ/s1600/IMG_8049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Szij3DFoToWAH1WgPNFJrn_movypxMUG7QKngEJyWYX8QHpRrClaawM3f3cdyYHupd9FhAOmOhODWiMLlCcPR3kBz6t_o6d5sg7aX5ZTV8TKfUX6JPThRJN23WxAAKCKg_e_coPqEGrQ/s400/IMG_8049.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful wood grain molding</td></tr>
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As I mentioned, this is a repaint post. I didn't assemble the set as is- I'm too eager to give the table the realism it's longing for. No one has pink tables! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BBp6qk6ye4g3iNKpMpfcLh0_jhJ2HcPk9JvFw9f4yShOyyyUhB_TNrEGD9daFeDBAUPsZjcK2az9PR8IlohcNU0Dn8lpapOwuINnYtLlu04mwQ4idyqqFS8npQjnZkW7ly4FUN6idqdh/s1600/IMG_8062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BBp6qk6ye4g3iNKpMpfcLh0_jhJ2HcPk9JvFw9f4yShOyyyUhB_TNrEGD9daFeDBAUPsZjcK2az9PR8IlohcNU0Dn8lpapOwuINnYtLlu04mwQ4idyqqFS8npQjnZkW7ly4FUN6idqdh/s320/IMG_8062.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I used a satin spray paint so it wouldn't be too glossy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QFmsTI_URc7UEEBfs_8lEwzSjfxF8nn7VNv759BIgMGSBAFJESPkwoSAlrFPxGCyRLVnLZ6IGruyXMansBmJKCzvX7upBqAI6WkJtZ1sWCb8GGclMdxYWQDyC3HpooiVmQh0oUz0KUvU/s1600/IMG_8052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QFmsTI_URc7UEEBfs_8lEwzSjfxF8nn7VNv759BIgMGSBAFJESPkwoSAlrFPxGCyRLVnLZ6IGruyXMansBmJKCzvX7upBqAI6WkJtZ1sWCb8GGclMdxYWQDyC3HpooiVmQh0oUz0KUvU/s400/IMG_8052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Be slow with your spray painting. Wear a mask. Do it outdoors. Go light and do several coats. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsaAj8AWpizm3O-zApVIv0rjMXVYYUiiV_aWoQoSoslI1utY0FrkwZNVIWRRifFAb3LtafhyphenhyphenyKHJkno7XSyFh3d1RMkX8BMeeGpRAfx7E5o5al_WC4fkxBIoF9fG6pev0s0K66i77ec-F/s1600/IMG_8055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsaAj8AWpizm3O-zApVIv0rjMXVYYUiiV_aWoQoSoslI1utY0FrkwZNVIWRRifFAb3LtafhyphenhyphenyKHJkno7XSyFh3d1RMkX8BMeeGpRAfx7E5o5al_WC4fkxBIoF9fG6pev0s0K66i77ec-F/s400/IMG_8055.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I loved the IKEA style instruction on the wine cabinet. This was slightly more challenging than expected. Unfortunately, I started scratching up my paint job quickly as I used the functioning doors. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxprI0jAP6Hr8eGDZWQudVU7gwS4dxJchRnQCeGm83rAmSDxa8FN0Xxpey8gS2Eozv2Ye_nudk5_i_GJU57q2o8_LB0ZDxvi_32J_ImJDdJm4jeMWHa2u9yMaYZWmywBm376QivQFkmLO8/s1600/IMG_8147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxprI0jAP6Hr8eGDZWQudVU7gwS4dxJchRnQCeGm83rAmSDxa8FN0Xxpey8gS2Eozv2Ye_nudk5_i_GJU57q2o8_LB0ZDxvi_32J_ImJDdJm4jeMWHa2u9yMaYZWmywBm376QivQFkmLO8/s320/IMG_8147.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also painted several small details on the table- the bloody looking candlesticks got some new yellow flames and a black base. (I still can't decide if black is too modern for this table. My husband recommends gold leaf- maybe I'll try that someday.) I also spray-painted the plates a solid white. (They had a purple fish-skeleton pattern. Also there were matching cardboard placemats with the same design... I tossed those.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpbrVyNvSAT46QOuDkmNVCBqsg4I5vP9McAczFc9Gu3Ir03HX9afBkNdm3YIupePAiQeKaIU0KOoTJ7wsGOi0ABjqZaWSWAcVjjSXugRJtKqcYcRkOx6oC640qyVX1Fym6rhJH6qIAY61/s1600/IMG_8148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpbrVyNvSAT46QOuDkmNVCBqsg4I5vP9McAczFc9Gu3Ir03HX9afBkNdm3YIupePAiQeKaIU0KOoTJ7wsGOi0ABjqZaWSWAcVjjSXugRJtKqcYcRkOx6oC640qyVX1Fym6rhJH6qIAY61/s320/IMG_8148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Finally ready for a family dinner! Christy's <a href="https://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2018/03/american-teen-review.html">American Teen</a> sister Dominque is joining her tonight. (Most of my dolls are in storage right now...)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxSkZ2kjo4oG50folFxBuPhHAn3MkkLzOTHNvxMAqop_J46euE1Eao2MHIL4FL6VhMoYdy32liRjLHdeQHwcbWt7CwvlPp6BmAXVpC4-lvhUY1nZHsd9avGUHtiPKuo6fD1ps27MkFBw5/s1600/DSC_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxSkZ2kjo4oG50folFxBuPhHAn3MkkLzOTHNvxMAqop_J46euE1Eao2MHIL4FL6VhMoYdy32liRjLHdeQHwcbWt7CwvlPp6BmAXVpC4-lvhUY1nZHsd9avGUHtiPKuo6fD1ps27MkFBw5/s400/DSC_0133.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters chatting late into the night</td></tr>
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Part of what I love about this set is the number of small details. I realize this isn't ideal for kids- I would have lost half of this immediately. But... I still would have had fun. And as a collector now, this detail thrills me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXZUm9dgvIL_U9BB-Rikd5644KjRC0GfgZTcsqcO4I_e7dU2kvO3YmGjS2zDcDNXj2A8oxYdfGxg0LY3u69iXF0R3ISzoJkTzzDTDZHbY8SXixRJ38RKPmZOlQup4WA7r5nukqAwtuxps/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXZUm9dgvIL_U9BB-Rikd5644KjRC0GfgZTcsqcO4I_e7dU2kvO3YmGjS2zDcDNXj2A8oxYdfGxg0LY3u69iXF0R3ISzoJkTzzDTDZHbY8SXixRJ38RKPmZOlQup4WA7r5nukqAwtuxps/s640/DSC_0122.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The wine cabinet has lovely details- the fleur de lis on the glass doors, the crystal glass doorknobs, the recessed trim... When it was pink, the details were lost, but a nice brown brings the set into relief with elegant realism. This was a good buy and an easy craft. Try it for yourself!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8qIwHwX1COLaJZ6HjJBOOM1KOq5DMAS-HHk9OQzCUG2PcH6tT5gp120FkPHgPIl-Qz9hCx1QNI4vEMNjwMHoEWS6xtAYN_XrzwfK8WBMQAu4BYvYpT0NtJ4swJrTdkmwUaSYmuBBFCeP/s1600/DSC_0136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8qIwHwX1COLaJZ6HjJBOOM1KOq5DMAS-HHk9OQzCUG2PcH6tT5gp120FkPHgPIl-Qz9hCx1QNI4vEMNjwMHoEWS6xtAYN_XrzwfK8WBMQAu4BYvYpT0NtJ4swJrTdkmwUaSYmuBBFCeP/s640/DSC_0136.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-56090248829307872022017-03-18T16:14:00.000-07:002017-03-19T21:43:47.827-07:00Doll ShowsToday, I went to the local doll show for the second time. Both years, I feel like I've got awesome deals for less than $30, plus enjoyed a museum-like experience of the wide variety of dolls others collect.<br />
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Tacoma/Puyallup doll show isn't huge, but large enough to spend about two hours looking at everything. (There's another row to the left)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvE4qoENQVdAUENA7VjHJ1ZmLEt9XnOI0YOICPXWClgPvcx5dVZpcjLcc_TtQVTV2_HWXoHq6IgKUvVX7RqRA7x-U24VXfwPJgbenyVlK4__EHzVT-kz4N1StJDvQGdIfs9F_vJdXAsVB/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEvE4qoENQVdAUENA7VjHJ1ZmLEt9XnOI0YOICPXWClgPvcx5dVZpcjLcc_TtQVTV2_HWXoHq6IgKUvVX7RqRA7x-U24VXfwPJgbenyVlK4__EHzVT-kz4N1StJDvQGdIfs9F_vJdXAsVB/s400/DSC_0021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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When I attended in 2015, there were many UNUSUAL dolls:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL8poaDABzdOPSUZKoe1GVVszEJ61w-R0tXdHxwLapKmT8UAudt6QEyhdFusa6AbaTYj8K6krK_REm0l8lzVU2vjRWGKH0Wiq1g54FvFr-MJL-RLiOhD_nWqNthMaNbBe6jjQkK5PwXjH/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL8poaDABzdOPSUZKoe1GVVszEJ61w-R0tXdHxwLapKmT8UAudt6QEyhdFusa6AbaTYj8K6krK_REm0l8lzVU2vjRWGKH0Wiq1g54FvFr-MJL-RLiOhD_nWqNthMaNbBe6jjQkK5PwXjH/s400/DSC_0004.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiBq7kd4wh1_2vAvQ3XzyZhAS6W6Mt-27w7Vwq9k0AsM9qM9sbyy6mhsE3RKCvDEhyphenhyphenBk0smrjDhVRUzp8loKUPbkEJrlY-cMRXr9WzBR-xEssRhkdPsBzxN5FkIQrnb2-6iC4uUv6GTYp/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDiBq7kd4wh1_2vAvQ3XzyZhAS6W6Mt-27w7Vwq9k0AsM9qM9sbyy6mhsE3RKCvDEhyphenhyphenBk0smrjDhVRUzp8loKUPbkEJrlY-cMRXr9WzBR-xEssRhkdPsBzxN5FkIQrnb2-6iC4uUv6GTYp/s400/DSC_0006.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stylin' hair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkQofpeP9-nR_BV4AYUg2yQxTGOxYVjMNBIrFNducW_cd8yFNybliCAGI-klychCwwnhXQiySLhm-jxDYUR1LrY1e7rUWYXIXyKt8_c_o7fnAGZiPqtUe9rQTm2h_VcR_5VVRN_ni24A_/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkQofpeP9-nR_BV4AYUg2yQxTGOxYVjMNBIrFNducW_cd8yFNybliCAGI-klychCwwnhXQiySLhm-jxDYUR1LrY1e7rUWYXIXyKt8_c_o7fnAGZiPqtUe9rQTm2h_VcR_5VVRN_ni24A_/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poor Pitiful Pearl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCw6a7vW1chEjg9y8wdocfZFzkSOuhh7ZaEzNOVJ-NqSYIpeDoQuE7nKPFFodJ98pXgzOvDF1KRKRy2x-Q5jtNFNwKHR7Rsen9Zod9YEdjxTsJRmIl9sRcaemFoLLmLK4Rz7LlIvBlEDmw/s1600/DSC_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCw6a7vW1chEjg9y8wdocfZFzkSOuhh7ZaEzNOVJ-NqSYIpeDoQuE7nKPFFodJ98pXgzOvDF1KRKRy2x-Q5jtNFNwKHR7Rsen9Zod9YEdjxTsJRmIl9sRcaemFoLLmLK4Rz7LlIvBlEDmw/s400/DSC_0011.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A ventriloquist doll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCMUEn558LIH6koK4B_0MMIR00fTQf2GAwPwM1pSTzx57CRp0alce41G1qS5ed1NqmZfl9XjWasB8pnkie32XzLJ8GHKULzOapNX7x79AV4SzaQiV_xG1vjZnY9jt6FzNMVzcpSFgcimT/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCMUEn558LIH6koK4B_0MMIR00fTQf2GAwPwM1pSTzx57CRp0alce41G1qS5ed1NqmZfl9XjWasB8pnkie32XzLJ8GHKULzOapNX7x79AV4SzaQiV_xG1vjZnY9jt6FzNMVzcpSFgcimT/s400/DSC_0013.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reborn doll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtC82ngZxMRiTw7RcgMMz2OuX4vuy9qjQnPw9MWttAeEBgyz3HlRFEEtqKbP5ZCMDXJ8dPdQuwhENne3U59Geg9S8REZoaMzXKAFbh_etfP4SPAV5pT-uN1A6VqocpbXQu1ePG6JoZpqjP/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtC82ngZxMRiTw7RcgMMz2OuX4vuy9qjQnPw9MWttAeEBgyz3HlRFEEtqKbP5ZCMDXJ8dPdQuwhENne3U59Geg9S8REZoaMzXKAFbh_etfP4SPAV5pT-uN1A6VqocpbXQu1ePG6JoZpqjP/s400/DSC_0014.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this redhead doll's wistful expression</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o_G-PxM0IO5vz6MvpXFXn6tAMtBeE6yUpCZxLiNfX5wbIOulFGG804rmg7u6lI7J7bC4Dksqf6eBxpLZtZTgDCq0p4wlg5RdooOqbqzlnWC-C2XT-VTEGnAoUnTdSWwUNxFpFD3drTmY/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o_G-PxM0IO5vz6MvpXFXn6tAMtBeE6yUpCZxLiNfX5wbIOulFGG804rmg7u6lI7J7bC4Dksqf6eBxpLZtZTgDCq0p4wlg5RdooOqbqzlnWC-C2XT-VTEGnAoUnTdSWwUNxFpFD3drTmY/s400/DSC_0017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Miss No-Name doll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PnS4oHAG7X1HgIaf-y6s-SJctw_2FMPpzLBhkC7EZ-UDJiZh1xmoauwL_gp35rbIGJz8cPQu7MhPDiKhMeolIn3LBu422jskSuNgQREeHAcbiKnum3dx9FGK5ZwuTlTJoHFDAX-ISPCh/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PnS4oHAG7X1HgIaf-y6s-SJctw_2FMPpzLBhkC7EZ-UDJiZh1xmoauwL_gp35rbIGJz8cPQu7MhPDiKhMeolIn3LBu422jskSuNgQREeHAcbiKnum3dx9FGK5ZwuTlTJoHFDAX-ISPCh/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">teeny musical instruments!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPmOH1gwobWZdbA_3G7f23No1YAsjNjtfBE4LIdT3f3LxF5ag0dsXd-hG4_uyzByLI5JhuKBENxi_5P9DtqgzMU3TxgLaLSP3_YEVjc-9MZaD7W3K21nTHmDrgr-yGn8XCcI25P2FXkDL/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPmOH1gwobWZdbA_3G7f23No1YAsjNjtfBE4LIdT3f3LxF5ag0dsXd-hG4_uyzByLI5JhuKBENxi_5P9DtqgzMU3TxgLaLSP3_YEVjc-9MZaD7W3K21nTHmDrgr-yGn8XCcI25P2FXkDL/s400/DSC_0022.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">assemble your own doll?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn't have much cash for the first show, and was pretty thrilled to make it in with $20 ($8 admission fee) and still get three dolls. I'd been looking for Rosie online- this show had two! Plus Business Pocahantus and a Liv doll were in a grab bin.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf9GOZuM7teuYcHu2Zg1L2Z_BXT3UFZeA9U1vSXLt-js8XNWL00JJknR84MkoCaFIsnshWFZ-nlrXzJaork42_VIcsFPEVFvzBrEyDcRw3Q7QqHPjcW7PNhcMdS-8xR4YMHenArUq-23L/s1600/DSC_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf9GOZuM7teuYcHu2Zg1L2Z_BXT3UFZeA9U1vSXLt-js8XNWL00JJknR84MkoCaFIsnshWFZ-nlrXzJaork42_VIcsFPEVFvzBrEyDcRw3Q7QqHPjcW7PNhcMdS-8xR4YMHenArUq-23L/s400/DSC_0027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In 2017, there were less zany dolls, but still many good classics.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobGMTpepEJYB_B5fCJeIRxRcaiO2ux2E3Ub4ORCTMhjCmskZi3LKIpDz1NWziDa6ebPe1yowGxDe7zg2xRloSHYjZYPurfEK7AN_FYfKg1ANRMQFTPJL_QvMnG_8ewn_mRPz2b-QlLTgG/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobGMTpepEJYB_B5fCJeIRxRcaiO2ux2E3Ub4ORCTMhjCmskZi3LKIpDz1NWziDa6ebPe1yowGxDe7zg2xRloSHYjZYPurfEK7AN_FYfKg1ANRMQFTPJL_QvMnG_8ewn_mRPz2b-QlLTgG/s640/IMG_1060.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic Barbie and friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p7KGqCPtWauWQXhXT5F0qp7seDBxZRxw5vPvU-Tdf4ga6iowu1PB-Epu-yz6u9fUlYfeSjHSOs1QCYALYDsi-yMH0deLGAR5GcWTTLQ9v1GNqSjjtYmczHLTsz8Lox46ofPINJdbdk8Z/s1600/IMG_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9p7KGqCPtWauWQXhXT5F0qp7seDBxZRxw5vPvU-Tdf4ga6iowu1PB-Epu-yz6u9fUlYfeSjHSOs1QCYALYDsi-yMH0deLGAR5GcWTTLQ9v1GNqSjjtYmczHLTsz8Lox46ofPINJdbdk8Z/s640/IMG_1062.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hundreds of Simon & Halbig dolls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4d_jqjtPaOyfSy7AuudcJGoBjfhAeIFkW9Twsy1t0RIWYoFoIOxNIL7xH6l-IktalqSnsHDDEoAaA_xRa1_Rn8iy7EXKD6LSdW2tl6RkjT7ibTajLFKy2nuyN6qZgmPV5y36z5gx9ciT/s1600/IMG_1063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4d_jqjtPaOyfSy7AuudcJGoBjfhAeIFkW9Twsy1t0RIWYoFoIOxNIL7xH6l-IktalqSnsHDDEoAaA_xRa1_Rn8iy7EXKD6LSdW2tl6RkjT7ibTajLFKy2nuyN6qZgmPV5y36z5gx9ciT/s400/IMG_1063.JPG" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This china doll interests me. She's not exactly warm and cuddly or highly detailed. I wonder what a young child from her time period thought of her. Somehow, being both simple and dramatic gives her a presence. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39DoXe6XPHCJ0-4EZnE_GyLB2WkkR1mD7ebuPayN2LERoxlNnlGaLmUvi6MCtk3TVWKUNF0ARBI73E7Uz5NDakMR0Deh8q_Ipvi0UIjbPQMYAaj4E5pEvNRlPcrfhvLmMIR0xM1UisIt3/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39DoXe6XPHCJ0-4EZnE_GyLB2WkkR1mD7ebuPayN2LERoxlNnlGaLmUvi6MCtk3TVWKUNF0ARBI73E7Uz5NDakMR0Deh8q_Ipvi0UIjbPQMYAaj4E5pEvNRlPcrfhvLmMIR0xM1UisIt3/s640/IMG_1061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amazing facial expressions - Himstedt dolls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Dolls I wish I collected:</div>
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These large Himstedt dolls (at least 2 feet tall, $300 and up) have gorgeous expressive faces. A women is working on selling her mother's entire collection. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KcnWXPuNnmk9k8xZvpZ1XhwVlBB8lp9IhfZFfP0dDTRWtvpO9kRUcqVzh9GsbfLOF0qaNDtKt7w-YzPbK4Ldglk_4gWxfyJNLqltHPszUIjt_2p2WY0ak5tupB4LMqxjgCbK_MvyVtOg/s1600/IMG_1071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KcnWXPuNnmk9k8xZvpZ1XhwVlBB8lp9IhfZFfP0dDTRWtvpO9kRUcqVzh9GsbfLOF0qaNDtKt7w-YzPbK4Ldglk_4gWxfyJNLqltHPszUIjt_2p2WY0ak5tupB4LMqxjgCbK_MvyVtOg/s400/IMG_1071.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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This little wood doll is so cute and sassy, from her flapper outfit to her side-glancing eyes.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4cRpolI_7kaOKi-KbD1kr7mSWyyAQcnCdzjOnyLcQO7l9-kBfbbE6i6MhgnE-Sl2yV6pSuBwmdwkKwGKemtxoyQhJAvg4b0Vt2pTgZSaqlmlrBV-btqoWfmmxW36hUgmfKm3FowoH6E1/s1600/IMG_1067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4cRpolI_7kaOKi-KbD1kr7mSWyyAQcnCdzjOnyLcQO7l9-kBfbbE6i6MhgnE-Sl2yV6pSuBwmdwkKwGKemtxoyQhJAvg4b0Vt2pTgZSaqlmlrBV-btqoWfmmxW36hUgmfKm3FowoH6E1/s400/IMG_1067.jpg" width="273" /></a></div>
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And of course, I'd love to collect American Girl dolls! I'm shy wandering around these booths by myself, but I was lucky to have a nice conversation with the woman who customized this doll. (It was not for sale, but she caught me rubbernecking for a view of her dolls on her walker.) She gave the doll a short wig, freckles, and darker lipstick. She's planning on fixing an old Molly doll next, who is in need of re-stringing and new hair. (She's going to become a redhead!)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV3WOWT6chvXQBerQRUrkckRk0CCSQ4MG62AW24qbIEGj4exJ4wVwCMeSRPWd4jOmQudVmQ8ZYLEKw5Na4ApD16Spm_S-wi7mL7AMJyTQcHE7LwPi729_GRC8J2hbujuNLK9oKga33NgY/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV3WOWT6chvXQBerQRUrkckRk0CCSQ4MG62AW24qbIEGj4exJ4wVwCMeSRPWd4jOmQudVmQ8ZYLEKw5Na4ApD16Spm_S-wi7mL7AMJyTQcHE7LwPi729_GRC8J2hbujuNLK9oKga33NgY/s320/IMG_1058.JPG" width="165" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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If only... $80 for an Madam Lavinia (articulated curvy body). Beautiful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWgaktvYZiD7yRNFlLLV_W1zpc9YfDa6eEedhjamBTuSQC7WBTprkxDOw6G7IpWH0cgh0Ae9Aq-dqeGZlEBSuJ81ftYI5EdEp7-g1DYFUJqCuM4n9tR6CGfa65LadNGjL3Ph8YniyyeJo/s1600/IMG_1065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWgaktvYZiD7yRNFlLLV_W1zpc9YfDa6eEedhjamBTuSQC7WBTprkxDOw6G7IpWH0cgh0Ae9Aq-dqeGZlEBSuJ81ftYI5EdEp7-g1DYFUJqCuM4n9tR6CGfa65LadNGjL3Ph8YniyyeJo/s400/IMG_1065.JPG" width="376" /></a></div>
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I though the most unique doll at this show was this big-headed girl with a Strawberry Shortcake-like face. (Or is she more like Betty Boop?)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrh1S2NF4diG3rR78-odYQuWgWDSnya_0BnztIxhcGWwbbBjQH70TZw0FmdI5psZypn5M5Kb9wJ2FScGp42e0nG_j-BANpTD9wnqk-E7EUFcwuPY-CGTkSmT2p3i2mXK8ifGDKyJhoXZK/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYrh1S2NF4diG3rR78-odYQuWgWDSnya_0BnztIxhcGWwbbBjQH70TZw0FmdI5psZypn5M5Kb9wJ2FScGp42e0nG_j-BANpTD9wnqk-E7EUFcwuPY-CGTkSmT2p3i2mXK8ifGDKyJhoXZK/s400/IMG_1068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are always a lot of dresses for sale with Very Large Prints. Intense. If you'd like to make and sell your own dresses, can I recommend this tasteful guide from Nethilia? <a href="https://americangirloutsider.blogspot.com/2013/03/crafting-creatively-avoiding-generidress.html">Avoiding the Generidress.</a><br />
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There was a variety of black dolls. This small set was attractive, but I can't tell if designs like this try to idealize plantation days. (I often see a lot of mistrel style dolls in antique stores, so certainly it could be worse.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsLC2H65v_4R5UG6S3m2T8Qm1IEik4WaZ9JrS2R3Od7rvrhuGwNTURXKwOk7tmIzgDhzZkWHQKyeuZ_8mM2AjOYAfSCMLQB54GrUl2y8wkY7BXXY3D8t1wkhV0wj6AbMRshJtiOFFziHd/s1600/IMG_1072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsLC2H65v_4R5UG6S3m2T8Qm1IEik4WaZ9JrS2R3Od7rvrhuGwNTURXKwOk7tmIzgDhzZkWHQKyeuZ_8mM2AjOYAfSCMLQB54GrUl2y8wkY7BXXY3D8t1wkhV0wj6AbMRshJtiOFFziHd/s400/IMG_1072.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black baby doll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn't buy any dolls this year, but found a few deals on vintage clothes, plus a homemade set of patterns for Monster High ghouls from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/kristineanns">Kristine Anns</a>. She also threw in her "Sewing for Tiny Dolls" booklet for free when I told her I haven't done it before! She was so nice- ended my day on a nice note.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDmjGPwCjjQg1_I_5jb5W_q-pIcu24BAd3eEFn6V7odch9SG_jD-8jN3kko7feFGUTTjUyebl5hd_1MGRCOUxQETAfwOl6JwbVanAAkR7ZEbfHnzk02r6GygilO5znp1iYDlL05fjCmeQ/s1600/IMG_1083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDmjGPwCjjQg1_I_5jb5W_q-pIcu24BAd3eEFn6V7odch9SG_jD-8jN3kko7feFGUTTjUyebl5hd_1MGRCOUxQETAfwOl6JwbVanAAkR7ZEbfHnzk02r6GygilO5znp1iYDlL05fjCmeQ/s400/IMG_1083.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My purchases</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I came home, I was hoping to fit the black vintage dress on a curvy doll. It barely fits- and you'd better go over the head rather than up the hips! I'm happy with my purchases.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZK9HM8taFXMG4VC20MLPPYSGYOQ1j8p0BGLXRQrjMYoqCRqxmuzRxKYoItswlcVVlg6hgNB7zGbkVreD1xV_4KFWBu9YZkChPYCyYCU-sGquwS5H30hDbL9dBH54M5njQPn21N98jOIk/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZK9HM8taFXMG4VC20MLPPYSGYOQ1j8p0BGLXRQrjMYoqCRqxmuzRxKYoItswlcVVlg6hgNB7zGbkVreD1xV_4KFWBu9YZkChPYCyYCU-sGquwS5H30hDbL9dBH54M5njQPn21N98jOIk/s640/IMG_1089.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blondie feeling classy</td></tr>
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<br />Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-1294846316001779002016-12-08T13:05:00.000-08:002017-05-25T19:40:07.336-07:00Why Collect Dolls of ColorI am white women. I collect dolls of color. I try to do it for good reasons.<br />
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I grew up with Barbies. My sister and I only had one black doll- a 1990's Steven (black Ken). In our stories he was married to our one black-haired doll, a Kira. (She could be interpreted as Asian/Pacific Islander.)<br />
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No adult told us those two belonged together, or that Steven shouldn't date the white blonde dolls. (And we were certainly not taught that dolls of color were bad or ugly.) I was raised to be "colorblind," but when you never talk or think about racial issues, bad messages can be sent accidentally. These are often subconscious messages, or <a href="http://finnglas.tumblr.com/post/147807243370">schema</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtkF9CwyT0pxPAO7szf3PW1m2t9OTaF_Xadp_xwRh5ZOZD4mqzaEKvoWS7meA0ohxnVZdgGM3xGM1xii_V8tnipWdLdB7UrX2dYyzdmxgSOKAVf3d6Ae05wRRC-1PsK6GkQOCSJEXX5tR/s1600/IMG_3333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtkF9CwyT0pxPAO7szf3PW1m2t9OTaF_Xadp_xwRh5ZOZD4mqzaEKvoWS7meA0ohxnVZdgGM3xGM1xii_V8tnipWdLdB7UrX2dYyzdmxgSOKAVf3d6Ae05wRRC-1PsK6GkQOCSJEXX5tR/s400/IMG_3333.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Accidental Race Lessons</h3>
<ol>
<li>White is normal.</li>
<li>White is beautiful.</li>
<li>White is good.</li>
</ol>
<div>
I know these may sound over the top, especially if you are a white person raised like me. Give me a chance to break it down. I'll use myself as a prime example, but hopefully I can show this happens. (Perhaps you had a different life experience, and the adults in your world always went out of their way to show positive representations of people of color. Hooray! But here's why other white people have accidental prejudices.)</div>
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<div>
Dolls have been used since a famous <a href="http://www.theroot.com/articles/culture/2014/05/the_brown_decision_s_doll_test_11_facts/">1940's experiment</a> to show children's perceptions of color. Here's a video compilation of some contemporary tests:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tkpUyB2xgTM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tkpUyB2xgTM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div>
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In these videos, both white and black children identify black dolls as unattractive and bad, and white dolls as lovely and good. (A hard part to watch is a white mom realizing that her young child has absorbed these beliefs without her wanting that.)<br />
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<h3>
1. "White is normal"</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In my town, it was. In the stories I read, it was. I remember the first time a character in a book observed how unfair it was that she had to describe herself as black, otherwise the reader would assume she was white. (It was Cassie from the Animorphs.) I felt weird about that, but I didn't know how to solve a problem like that. At the time, it was good to start questioning my perceptions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq_a8agaiB-L2e8sFiFiDhkn6q92wVT9KHHuzlzIQmrAcqOTHU2_vej3w0YO_xoIBCFCkNGPmcG1tGbUW5CHhkIZDiknqYAEwBERTuGlZaFPKxHg65uGnf0rnKejE0Wzde_ng-od3lomv/s1600/IMG_3339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq_a8agaiB-L2e8sFiFiDhkn6q92wVT9KHHuzlzIQmrAcqOTHU2_vej3w0YO_xoIBCFCkNGPmcG1tGbUW5CHhkIZDiknqYAEwBERTuGlZaFPKxHg65uGnf0rnKejE0Wzde_ng-od3lomv/s400/IMG_3339.JPG" width="285" /></a></div>
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<div>
Like the <a href="https://feministfrequency.com/video/tropes-vs-women-3-the-smurfette-principle/">smurfette principle</a>, when I had 10 white dolls and just one doll of color, that one doll is othered. She has no personality, no defining characteristics other than skin tone. She might be considered special or exotic, but she doesn't get to be ordinary or fully human. (In many stories, the best friend is a person of color. This makes the hero look good and not racist. But the POC rarely gets to be a hero.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMne_Tnk_srLz7tWM7CiUI-vQ9Uoallyb3W-QoQToRG4d_Ho4NtaL4J0h7lcIsBuMQRKX7MR7iAHQbmKafHg0pfxdnECUvIWDmtqvV1xOzv9k6QIKlV6uYAAJZcH00DoP56DvggujxyEGs/s1600/IMG_3338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMne_Tnk_srLz7tWM7CiUI-vQ9Uoallyb3W-QoQToRG4d_Ho4NtaL4J0h7lcIsBuMQRKX7MR7iAHQbmKafHg0pfxdnECUvIWDmtqvV1xOzv9k6QIKlV6uYAAJZcH00DoP56DvggujxyEGs/s400/IMG_3338.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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Let's invert the lesson. With many dolls of color, it's normal. They can have different personalities, hobbies, jobs, families, and lives.<br />
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<h3>
2. "White is beautiful"</h3>
<div>
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<div>
This one is tricky. </div>
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<div>
In the 90's, the average <a href="http://barbie.wikia.com/wiki/Christie">Christie</a> (90s black Barbie) doll was the same mold as Barbie, same nose, lips, and perfectly straight long hair. Only the color is different, but the western beauty standards are the same.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKU6O8VKdbm11TYHaMTYE2t1MprBtRDcYLS1BUGGSnaGXxsj6Gqya-vxolpmiw_YrFTECTXTRI_CbZyuVJO76T-jWKQ7str9GoQm5zvLTtXrwcTMsPPzNgXe3YnkaYHOO4cy8pkzN8nkT/s1600/IMG_3335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKU6O8VKdbm11TYHaMTYE2t1MprBtRDcYLS1BUGGSnaGXxsj6Gqya-vxolpmiw_YrFTECTXTRI_CbZyuVJO76T-jWKQ7str9GoQm5zvLTtXrwcTMsPPzNgXe3YnkaYHOO4cy8pkzN8nkT/s400/IMG_3335.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I've never been told that black people are ugly. But I have grown up with people saying, "I'm just not attracted to black people." I was accidentally taught that wide noses and full lips aren't beautiful, and that only a certain set of curves on a women are pleasing. (Or worse, women of color's bodies are sexualized, with bigger curves implied promiscuity.) Only smooth hair or spiral curls are good, black hairstyles are "unprofessional" or "political."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tfqoUeUovK1PL2jOXOCJ7sxDGjzxp96ezogcZYtr2EeGMNu9N5Exr66lekvnpPK0WpJaUXuP528ieswoK5mnfEA737vMU7vNppQ013Qx_9xaDl_pNLmaeFcj02ZxHJhUuQWrTiWRm2db/s1600/IMG_3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tfqoUeUovK1PL2jOXOCJ7sxDGjzxp96ezogcZYtr2EeGMNu9N5Exr66lekvnpPK0WpJaUXuP528ieswoK5mnfEA737vMU7vNppQ013Qx_9xaDl_pNLmaeFcj02ZxHJhUuQWrTiWRm2db/s400/IMG_3337.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Seeing the beautiful in all skin tones, all body types, all the different noses and hairstyles and lips, can start with art. Beautiful women of color in paintings, in movies, and in dolls, changes perceptions without ever saying a word.<br />
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<h3>
3. "White is good"</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
Why did the children in the video think white dolls were good? Sure, white characters are the heroes in their cartoons, white people are their teachers, police, and city leaders... White is used in everyday language as metaphors for cleanliness and purity... and in our culture, the idea of beauty and goodness overlap (villains in cartoons are ugly). It's honestly hard to pinpoint one thing- there are hundreds of little messages whispering to you that define what you think is good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85FIDf5moAWDuKlvz7oBf6nNdptH0ejyArTsdj-glQs8jxJ1_ZjGgd6JO4SxfpKEKwk7DVxIWSPb4ZLfQPn6iYPWbntE_dHiMxLFfaHM7e06rvfLOvtdj7xdzVhPjKbwEiEuoOet8nmgv/s1600/IMG_3334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85FIDf5moAWDuKlvz7oBf6nNdptH0ejyArTsdj-glQs8jxJ1_ZjGgd6JO4SxfpKEKwk7DVxIWSPb4ZLfQPn6iYPWbntE_dHiMxLFfaHM7e06rvfLOvtdj7xdzVhPjKbwEiEuoOet8nmgv/s400/IMG_3334.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Doll manufacturers seem to consider it risky to make dolls of color. "They don't sell as well," it's argued, and a company must focus on profits. They don't admit what power they have- they tell kids what to want. Nethilia does an excellent discussion about this on her blog, <a href="http://americangirloutsider.blogspot.com/2013/11/ag-complaint-department-girl-of-year.html">American Girl</a> <a href="http://americangirloutsider.blogspot.com/2015/01/ag-complaint-department-agdocgoty.html">Outsider</a>:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
This pattern of white character after white character is racist by American Girl. And they don't have to do it on purpose for it to be racist. Racism is not burning crosses and back of the line and "I'm better than you because I'm white." Racism is a institution in this country that gives whites privileges and respect over any other race--nowadays, in very subtle ways that it's hard to open other people's eyes to and make them see. It's whiteness as normality and everyone else as the other. And you don't have to intend for it to be racist for it to be racist. <i>-Nethilia</i></blockquote>
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When doll manufacturers promote white dolls and fall back on old excuses for why they do it, we go along with it. But that isn't good enough. <b>Representation matters.</b> Sell dolls of color! Buy dolls of color! We believe people of color are good when we see them, hear stories, live into those stories. Let's teach new lessons.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Islander is Normal - Black is Beautiful - Latinx is Good </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Asian is Normal - Native is Beautiful- Middle Eastern is Good</div>
</div>
Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-1610414781805125712016-11-24T10:42:00.000-08:002016-12-02T09:10:35.317-08:00Painting doll furniture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dear Mattel: </div>
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Everything does not need to be pink and purple. </div>
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Also, your sculpture/designers do amazing work. It deserves to be seen!</div>
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-Love, Ginger</div>
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Fear not, plastic can be repainted. I found a wonderful clawfoot bathtub for $1.50 at a thrift store. (My husband says it's called a slipper tub, as in Cinderella's slipper, describing the higher back.) How beautiful it would look in normal colors! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGid22NA_RmJe57_jRCneK4L6aae54G5GFPUSviNDaAPdC-iNzHIn0OEVfhi7rK5mv_8LRhZAy9TduhGcdAomuk_WcmsJPhaLo6whyphenhyphenrLOYkv1Yi4lrqfC9YS9qIjZlZv2OwZehaTIpX2UL/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGid22NA_RmJe57_jRCneK4L6aae54G5GFPUSviNDaAPdC-iNzHIn0OEVfhi7rK5mv_8LRhZAy9TduhGcdAomuk_WcmsJPhaLo6whyphenhyphenrLOYkv1Yi4lrqfC9YS9qIjZlZv2OwZehaTIpX2UL/s640/IMG_1260.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
You need:</h3>
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Barbie furniture</div>
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steel wool</div>
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spray paint</div>
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super glue</div>
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protective plastic or newsprint</div>
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optional: beads to replace missing knobs</div>
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optional: clay or tape </div>
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optional: paint thinner</div>
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I disassembled the tub just by pulling hard or banging against something hard. (The tube was harder to remove- I wedged a tiny screwdriver from a watch repair kit along the inside to break the hold)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjlgCD43lqtuFCqjkWSRQeeyrcxv31DzWIQsuRZ7BINsrX6NKB16NqI6Vvrsw-lKmGoeXKOi-BHDG-AKej2aIctMO5aviC3tGDmxTSU3aqJlqwSch5iWimJf8Dc86AopTHpuzt7jymglK/s1600/IMG_9393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjlgCD43lqtuFCqjkWSRQeeyrcxv31DzWIQsuRZ7BINsrX6NKB16NqI6Vvrsw-lKmGoeXKOi-BHDG-AKej2aIctMO5aviC3tGDmxTSU3aqJlqwSch5iWimJf8Dc86AopTHpuzt7jymglK/s640/IMG_9393.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I cleaned the tub and scrubbed it with steel wool. (I think it would have been wise to remove the little painting with paint thinner, but I didn't think of that then.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnKxold4_RlwlRs6X6eK0bs8alqt5uXz5wIxJxxdwmmyGZ1C9er9aM2JDZhNp38mqUSbcbORzARbP8FIYChDUgj01o_EFHy-Xa_duEl4KN118BpDtQbkraw-BgjSFG-TMQg4iPev8AifW/s1600/IMG_9412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnKxold4_RlwlRs6X6eK0bs8alqt5uXz5wIxJxxdwmmyGZ1C9er9aM2JDZhNp38mqUSbcbORzARbP8FIYChDUgj01o_EFHy-Xa_duEl4KN118BpDtQbkraw-BgjSFG-TMQg4iPev8AifW/s640/IMG_9412.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Spray paint will give you an even finish, and sticks a bit better to plastic. There's a technique: start the spray off to the side of the object, sweep across, and end on the other side. If you spray directly on the object, the paint will pool and look uneven. Spray a few coats, let in dry 30 minutes, spray a few more... until coverage is satisfactory. (My husband did the spraying- he's also using a fancy paint meant for repairing real bathtubs.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Cyw_UIIwy8tDN0nPmxXfIZ76hlizNb0C6dEpbDKDc0NvzYR6quFqDgODvCB5H9lmVv9CVcIBN-6pDIudiFGJP0vWh4z8u55V0YTvYVtHbvjb0X5Gb_xewImEzawunz566ss8pkQe13Bt/s1600/IMG_9979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Cyw_UIIwy8tDN0nPmxXfIZ76hlizNb0C6dEpbDKDc0NvzYR6quFqDgODvCB5H9lmVv9CVcIBN-6pDIudiFGJP0vWh4z8u55V0YTvYVtHbvjb0X5Gb_xewImEzawunz566ss8pkQe13Bt/s640/IMG_9979.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This project also needed a second color: silver for the clawfeet and the spigot. It was amazing seeing the beautiful detail on the feet begin to show. Using clear purple with sparkles had hidden the excellent mould for the feet.<br />
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Spray paint is strong enough to blow over light pieces. We used some clay to hold the clawfeet in place. Later, the clay lifted the tub up for drying.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e-VZZYVWP0q3wm7ZcD5Ofg4NbwpNVwTTb-95rH4x-KQiHl04Qy0DhouhFtPh9AAYKaXQVy963B_EfXNzyVYsbTDdsvgFDZ2kWFpxDTNtqhhoPRzPpxNb8t4imwXadAMoSAGYLuIM3RU6/s1600/IMG_9981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e-VZZYVWP0q3wm7ZcD5Ofg4NbwpNVwTTb-95rH4x-KQiHl04Qy0DhouhFtPh9AAYKaXQVy963B_EfXNzyVYsbTDdsvgFDZ2kWFpxDTNtqhhoPRzPpxNb8t4imwXadAMoSAGYLuIM3RU6/s640/IMG_9981.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I let the tub dry overnight before re-assembling with super glue. The original knobs for the spigot were missing, so I glued on three clear jewel beads to replace them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CXIqWkVwN-pokJPUV2woXP690wp4iOA4SmH4Bm0Vmv06_0BBqO6zHAVKdJV3hdy8FUQT44WvC8kgt8pdM1n1JcKfSmPxt0aFMpD5ueAgC-Kee69XMS8TK5clZflfhGY7dKl0UU7t6NeK/s1600/IMG_9984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CXIqWkVwN-pokJPUV2woXP690wp4iOA4SmH4Bm0Vmv06_0BBqO6zHAVKdJV3hdy8FUQT44WvC8kgt8pdM1n1JcKfSmPxt0aFMpD5ueAgC-Kee69XMS8TK5clZflfhGY7dKl0UU7t6NeK/s640/IMG_9984.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, Angel can have a relaxing bubble bath. Try out this easy project to improve furniture!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9XFge1REL8Z35fMzmYtXe27QVsQcYExCx91weqt_iy_XwRV93pCGdInfdhyppKWV2INsaUhaDv3eZD-LdmvDKG9vc6JsHYEUapOgQFkLof9wQ3Jq5_-hzIYDpdZPk6-LNGjJWiQIqs2P/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9XFge1REL8Z35fMzmYtXe27QVsQcYExCx91weqt_iy_XwRV93pCGdInfdhyppKWV2INsaUhaDv3eZD-LdmvDKG9vc6JsHYEUapOgQFkLof9wQ3Jq5_-hzIYDpdZPk6-LNGjJWiQIqs2P/s640/DSC_0038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-43848079947205546172016-10-23T18:31:00.003-07:002016-10-23T18:31:59.113-07:00Happy Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE65WKzyNxLbTBqCWhySBg7PWjohXEys6Z4YdoyVHJajNrS6Y8M3SKR4NT5qUYSgqbwx8jIjqIEoRJsKuDgQ2d9vZ5GVQZaeTtT3H0av8p4e3bK0iF6Bg0tpg1fOPaKdcZvKAytT8SVx2/s1600/26737862056_5ce482481e_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE65WKzyNxLbTBqCWhySBg7PWjohXEys6Z4YdoyVHJajNrS6Y8M3SKR4NT5qUYSgqbwx8jIjqIEoRJsKuDgQ2d9vZ5GVQZaeTtT3H0av8p4e3bK0iF6Bg0tpg1fOPaKdcZvKAytT8SVx2/s640/26737862056_5ce482481e_k.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-89660559602236189322016-09-23T16:36:00.001-07:002016-11-20T14:55:28.300-08:00Peacekeepers Review + Male Bodies comparisonFinding a good articulated 12" doll is an ongoing challenge, and when it comes to male bodies, action figures can be a good solution. GI Joe is the most famous action figure, yet they are hard to find new or in the 1/6 scale size. Older GI Joes are collectable and can be unaffordable for casual collectors like me, who simply want a diverse doll world.<br />
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I have recently purchased several "World Peacekeepers" dolls. They are available at Big Lots for $13 or $20. I haven't seen them anywhere else yet, and their <a href="http://www.powerteamfigures.com/">website</a> doesn't seem to sell online.<br />
I recently purchased a doll made to resemble a black or Latino man. There is also one Asian option I have been unable to find so far.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrLKrXl8q3tuoG-dvijHndqDwvRuniDgqjLs0lCRKZK9eESV-IIUjvHbO6dUG716XdTT-IoWb8JijngSxhyphenhyphenbjjyIMCpxbDT-Ov7_aRjAIydap1AclQ_8C_gB3QaBxHqOIiQny-zbDvJfF/s1600/peace02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrLKrXl8q3tuoG-dvijHndqDwvRuniDgqjLs0lCRKZK9eESV-IIUjvHbO6dUG716XdTT-IoWb8JijngSxhyphenhyphenbjjyIMCpxbDT-Ov7_aRjAIydap1AclQ_8C_gB3QaBxHqOIiQny-zbDvJfF/s640/peace02.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power Team Elite: World Peacekeepers Action Figure </td></tr>
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Action Figures is just a silly name for "boy" dolls with "boy" themes: fighting, guns, police, rescue, etc. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Joe">wikipedia</a> article on GI Joe says that they came up with the term Action Figures because "boys wouldn't want to play with dolls." I'm not as interested in protecting fragile masculinity, so I will be calling them dolls, and inviting anyone to play with any kind of toy they want.<br />
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My husband and I have a joke about this- he has always wanted to use his architecture education to make a super-detailed doll house for our future children. When asked, "What if you have boys?" his easy answer is: "Action figure house! He's action-making breakfast! He's action-washing the dishes!"<br />
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Peacekeepers resemble G.I. Joes in their form and intentions. Peacekeepers is a name I find bitterly ironic... So I'm going to call him Jacob for the rest of the review. Jacob has a medium light skin tone, and a small mustache and goatee. His face is calm and his hair short.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttqKwBH6XtdICrDy-cUryqYiY6EGtn9GjTPcYXUXS9BpRMaqPBWbLNDgrz9RhlGv0rjnoh6J7faEGkrkMqE_J5g44fF9RgXCezJxrS3UG4qhnU7HhyoI_rDeR7vzBQscMpP7vknRup7lR/s1600/peace04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttqKwBH6XtdICrDy-cUryqYiY6EGtn9GjTPcYXUXS9BpRMaqPBWbLNDgrz9RhlGv0rjnoh6J7faEGkrkMqE_J5g44fF9RgXCezJxrS3UG4qhnU7HhyoI_rDeR7vzBQscMpP7vknRup7lR/s640/peace04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jacob comes with an impressive array of accessories: wide brim camo hat, large and small automatic guns, belt, kneepads, boots, dog tags, medical supplies? and some sort of viewing scope? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtlk7OnZ99Y6b6yFb3zhaQHsZVj-01xInPOtneSjjmxMrQCt4aZNvoYuRTlbfThKC57i5iCNTtlAIgwwcQKpUjq39xWtb_U2XwmuuUUO7cbRtZNAbUIHiaU6BL6NGaOw_5g9DuuJJeW33/s1600/peace03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtlk7OnZ99Y6b6yFb3zhaQHsZVj-01xInPOtneSjjmxMrQCt4aZNvoYuRTlbfThKC57i5iCNTtlAIgwwcQKpUjq39xWtb_U2XwmuuUUO7cbRtZNAbUIHiaU6BL6NGaOw_5g9DuuJJeW33/s640/peace03.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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Jacob wears army pants and a black fleece top. I think this could be used for a variety of other outfits. Many "action figures" are unable to change their clothes. Personally, I feel that clothing change makes him more of a doll. (Also, more interesting and more realistic!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUocp7Eq9biss-LzDBZpu-55W8QrFPJd5wK0nhW7D450f9DRG5X3FRU6KP4kN9w2_hXn_8l-Hmuh8EWSvix0U9N8c29H8fUJ_NJZ-UJhbBWfmwpLLwnn61gEKwwukVE9QkFZJwKhtxyUT/s1600/peace05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUocp7Eq9biss-LzDBZpu-55W8QrFPJd5wK0nhW7D450f9DRG5X3FRU6KP4kN9w2_hXn_8l-Hmuh8EWSvix0U9N8c29H8fUJ_NJZ-UJhbBWfmwpLLwnn61gEKwwukVE9QkFZJwKhtxyUT/s640/peace05.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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Jacob's articulation is amazing: the box brags that he has over 30 points of articulation. I can only count 17, but it may be referring to the multiple directions each join can move. His elbows and knees are double-jointed, and his upper thighs and biceps have a twisting joint. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrgJcMR8x-NR33CQA1xi5BZLDxCyssWAVbraxGIEHamehsO5SPgswpWMyYiRBB0t9WvhsFcf_mRgYsWS_RvEujwjLYwoizTzJJaZyeNK1cN_q5_QgHMovGKEZjeXC6B0Eu1bihHIkZ7BX/s1600/Crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjrgJcMR8x-NR33CQA1xi5BZLDxCyssWAVbraxGIEHamehsO5SPgswpWMyYiRBB0t9WvhsFcf_mRgYsWS_RvEujwjLYwoizTzJJaZyeNK1cN_q5_QgHMovGKEZjeXC6B0Eu1bihHIkZ7BX/s640/Crop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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He can be posed in a wide variety of natural forms.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvAJCp5o7bA6nu9FTI9QVj-z25briNdJd7caeFPBPREuRDrmeX68Oo95J6q6zAeBZWABNDcMVeC1xZfXYsewvlqdc-ShpTosgd6AE5RQQjHyn5A4BcH4PAY1vcBFrRET5RQpA50EtZpHZ/s1600/peace07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvAJCp5o7bA6nu9FTI9QVj-z25briNdJd7caeFPBPREuRDrmeX68Oo95J6q6zAeBZWABNDcMVeC1xZfXYsewvlqdc-ShpTosgd6AE5RQQjHyn5A4BcH4PAY1vcBFrRET5RQpA50EtZpHZ/s640/peace07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And his talents include both types of splits: side to side or front to back.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYXxcO0lZq_VlBv9HStA5kKa9NQTb4i53GPPZ-7PvZ4hRjIkFF1TY6XbRtwctt6KNphCqOHQM7Txdcie_TP_483pkjEIvTP2EeJujk1lbWSrpR0EwfIpyZzXedB_aYlkYWPFAMS1LPlJ0/s1600/peace08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYXxcO0lZq_VlBv9HStA5kKa9NQTb4i53GPPZ-7PvZ4hRjIkFF1TY6XbRtwctt6KNphCqOHQM7Txdcie_TP_483pkjEIvTP2EeJujk1lbWSrpR0EwfIpyZzXedB_aYlkYWPFAMS1LPlJ0/s640/peace08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was a ballerina in a past life.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpW-1k0h0esg_AcKfxyrNGY3_fu60SriAV9YJHry0bLd0OSwnYgX_8kVcTVN9QQq1FUSLiYJy2utFMWzIylYzuXHdHqnVCpFRb-3sguoPTwZqVQSOFcZ1-HkmIx5ajvbZ_8HyGjgNt52Q/s1600/peace09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpW-1k0h0esg_AcKfxyrNGY3_fu60SriAV9YJHry0bLd0OSwnYgX_8kVcTVN9QQq1FUSLiYJy2utFMWzIylYzuXHdHqnVCpFRb-3sguoPTwZqVQSOFcZ1-HkmIx5ajvbZ_8HyGjgNt52Q/s640/peace09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jacob can also handle absurd poses and is too fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNbDy8rL0mN8-Y3u8r0nlMbs-uh453F1tXSUJIhMNwmIj4939g02ro38RhyphenhyphenUWwRlqy7L9Na3xvuofGUxuF1LXVOVNtPH8myGzI5I8PCi3tABqlW8DYKpokOAGrFeagb_t4jFC_Szur1FF/s1600/peace10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuNbDy8rL0mN8-Y3u8r0nlMbs-uh453F1tXSUJIhMNwmIj4939g02ro38RhyphenhyphenUWwRlqy7L9Na3xvuofGUxuF1LXVOVNtPH8myGzI5I8PCi3tABqlW8DYKpokOAGrFeagb_t4jFC_Szur1FF/s640/peace10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kJpfKXo56QmgYBEOHWMDe2grZvK4ZwXxuC41Cws5tl4FZtuP4FmArzSk0diYb8k83ya6bJtJ0I80R3QT_i0a9KQMqud5SNjkOBtmuDM9hen5kzw4peo9WAuDhzmyHhcHRLO8vi6rld6P/s1600/peace11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kJpfKXo56QmgYBEOHWMDe2grZvK4ZwXxuC41Cws5tl4FZtuP4FmArzSk0diYb8k83ya6bJtJ0I80R3QT_i0a9KQMqud5SNjkOBtmuDM9hen5kzw4peo9WAuDhzmyHhcHRLO8vi6rld6P/s640/peace11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jacob's gloves are not removable, a sad limitation to his flexibility. His hand are both curved to hold his accessories, and his left hand has the pointer finger raised.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqxXq9FmRZYMOVmfAJ1X-v9zTzrhN1oe2PkrnJuMzkIWg31zbn5IhPPz91gztKFZJcT6LEYEBtr1uRAlhW_WIeiciQUVV5-DNr-Y2xsxv0LT3C5s_Tn_YUCtG8hEnmH6kj9iY2jW45D-h/s1600/peace12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqxXq9FmRZYMOVmfAJ1X-v9zTzrhN1oe2PkrnJuMzkIWg31zbn5IhPPz91gztKFZJcT6LEYEBtr1uRAlhW_WIeiciQUVV5-DNr-Y2xsxv0LT3C5s_Tn_YUCtG8hEnmH6kj9iY2jW45D-h/s640/peace12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jacob is my favorite of my action figure dolls. Center: a Mattel doll with 15 joints, including an unusual joint in the fingers. Right: a Hasbro action figure with 14 joints. I am uncertain if this Hasbro is a GI Joe doll or not. (Both dolls were purchased at thrift stores.) The Mattel doll is a man of color, the Hasbro doll appears to be a white man with an unusual orange tan. Although excellent articulation is fun, I prefer these dolls clothed. Their exaggerated musculature feels inhuman to me. I do find it interesting that they have nipples, unlike the dolls below. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKCV5gsagSiAkEKq_wpbcpwvSbwUJn1LU1avkdfkV1TkQkVsYaqU3CxLYec-t04V0P5eMwh7vjFPgDdpZrBXU-IPLfp6cy0dRvSi6f2nIfwVUo2RquTqjam2qHFFfqBLIkVqJ04BWe1MB/s1600/peace13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKCV5gsagSiAkEKq_wpbcpwvSbwUJn1LU1avkdfkV1TkQkVsYaqU3CxLYec-t04V0P5eMwh7vjFPgDdpZrBXU-IPLfp6cy0dRvSi6f2nIfwVUo2RquTqjam2qHFFfqBLIkVqJ04BWe1MB/s640/peace13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jacob compared to my "doll" collection- primarily designed for girls rather than designed to be "action figures." My King doll is missing wrist articulation, a favorite for personality. He has an unusual waist articulation. Center: Fashionista Ken (with a re-bodied head) is a favorite that I often seek out. Right side: Monster High and Ever After High dolls, with slim bodies and good articulation. They are also known for their expressive hand molds. I just noticed that the Ever After doll has broader shoulders than Ken, perhaps to balance his oversized head.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKt5JxFQBhXe8imYzA_oCD-q0tj-5_nxe0kWsYfWG5JyeuY_nfpagADLMIuOSphe_hZJ_8sdejs2IV28i5XBaqlVHhOpobSGbGIiLkHJGoyK3FG4NWfiJ-SKTIU90JCBY1Y9-q0JQB_0z/s1600/peace14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKt5JxFQBhXe8imYzA_oCD-q0tj-5_nxe0kWsYfWG5JyeuY_nfpagADLMIuOSphe_hZJ_8sdejs2IV28i5XBaqlVHhOpobSGbGIiLkHJGoyK3FG4NWfiJ-SKTIU90JCBY1Y9-q0JQB_0z/s640/peace14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lastly, Jacob with my poorly articulated dolls, 90's Steven and 90's Drew Carey. Their five-point articulation is not special, but Drew has a unique body shape, and Steven has darker skin than any of my other male dolls.<br />
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The new "Made-to-Move" Barbie body compares well with Jacob. They have almost the same type of articulation in each joint, although the joints don't move quite the same. I noticed a difference in the hips especially. (My new doll Dru is a Fashionista "Leather and Ruffles" head on an "Orange Shirt" made-to-move body.)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsDf0mLc9fM3J9McEt5UOfG-ucoGEb9fkOPvy1ysjM3XtRasb_pnzdYci8a8nfNyqnre3uxHN-BByUWp2_whwzuonAj56gis7W-hXpiedmi2hzggtvtJABXGtwgclKQ-SoOkB2bJEI5a6/s1600/DSC_0973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsDf0mLc9fM3J9McEt5UOfG-ucoGEb9fkOPvy1ysjM3XtRasb_pnzdYci8a8nfNyqnre3uxHN-BByUWp2_whwzuonAj56gis7W-hXpiedmi2hzggtvtJABXGtwgclKQ-SoOkB2bJEI5a6/s640/DSC_0973.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dru and Jacob have a posing contest</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmtKBej4OXibUhtUw3Xn22JBS2fCy-V7u43TJI4ErKiBS6U2LML8QaUKaeiywOnKh-qi41pP1na8Gozb7DhxXdMQLhuZqxSDXKCOo1ueqcAJPPnUQTs-T6tumXCe7avo_arGaLv2QLLho/s1600/DSC_0975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNmtKBej4OXibUhtUw3Xn22JBS2fCy-V7u43TJI4ErKiBS6U2LML8QaUKaeiywOnKh-qi41pP1na8Gozb7DhxXdMQLhuZqxSDXKCOo1ueqcAJPPnUQTs-T6tumXCe7avo_arGaLv2QLLho/s640/DSC_0975.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yoga time</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXxAOWND8L0DCNwi1IHDoXOHQGp88BGTbNY3XkmQXFFSMwvGNP1pRZq18sxEVl5bGEeoeS6_V6G3-oGvgptHScACc3ZeLgNaOxWkBQnFoRmmSTQ-VugSNgc0OcIHTHMdMDV7CUKuE7JpK/s1600/DSC_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXxAOWND8L0DCNwi1IHDoXOHQGp88BGTbNY3XkmQXFFSMwvGNP1pRZq18sxEVl5bGEeoeS6_V6G3-oGvgptHScACc3ZeLgNaOxWkBQnFoRmmSTQ-VugSNgc0OcIHTHMdMDV7CUKuE7JpK/s640/DSC_0981.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jacob's body is slightly easier to manipulate and balance. (His larger feet help a lot.) My least favorite part (other than the gloves) is the cheap plastic feel. I also don't enjoy the way it looks, with fake muscles, nipples, and the strange pelvis. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrPakSexAAeuicXJPMZE6VW-DIxKQKUnWxHi0ASgaschHHZbupahuZ7eKV6rfXpgxUlxds_ldu2ZJy_cMNAz8-F24TdK7ZryM6yyj0i3nzXpUZxlndbo-fxMMBL-IJMcPH8U0le5cMVvC/s1600/DSC_0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrPakSexAAeuicXJPMZE6VW-DIxKQKUnWxHi0ASgaschHHZbupahuZ7eKV6rfXpgxUlxds_ldu2ZJy_cMNAz8-F24TdK7ZryM6yyj0i3nzXpUZxlndbo-fxMMBL-IJMcPH8U0le5cMVvC/s640/DSC_0987.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Dru looks more human, and she's slightly better at creating a natural looking pose. I like the plastic used for her body better as well, both texture and for photographing. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc04RNl1-jOUdVdEGezbW-VYladO51TwV9VTWNc26fJTQuwaJ1jfsHDNi1FkUYrAzpZ6Dwo2KUez0pojMZ4Aj6fqHCG6F-_bc2gwMniEcDmHBj8-TvCip4x_vswLiViFvNcejLNxBjr-jW/s1600/DSC_0988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc04RNl1-jOUdVdEGezbW-VYladO51TwV9VTWNc26fJTQuwaJ1jfsHDNi1FkUYrAzpZ6Dwo2KUez0pojMZ4Aj6fqHCG6F-_bc2gwMniEcDmHBj8-TvCip4x_vswLiViFvNcejLNxBjr-jW/s640/DSC_0988.JPG" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dru is better at touching her face</td></tr>
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Overall, I'm impressed with the Peacekeeper collection. I enjoyed their unique faces and ages- unlike Mattel's repetitive Ken face. Their facial hair, rugged jaws, noses, and hairlines add personality to my collection. I always enjoy a lot of accessories, although of course someone more interested in military supplies may be extra delighted by their details and usability. I hope to find more of their interesting props for police and firefighters. Hopefully they will add hospitals and other interesting careers to their list. And some female dolls with unique or rugged faces would make my dreams come true!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-7XiWE-x6riRUiUNAIXARvz7ycBiAICdfTwO9TEHoQOszRvfddzY4l9hlKckh9U2FsROWdz4H-9ujWB5p8di95X5RSX2x9EcTktGu58FRze9wZ99hyaojC3NEVuuR8tIRpsSUqCzDI5b/s1600/DSC_0928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-7XiWE-x6riRUiUNAIXARvz7ycBiAICdfTwO9TEHoQOszRvfddzY4l9hlKckh9U2FsROWdz4H-9ujWB5p8di95X5RSX2x9EcTktGu58FRze9wZ99hyaojC3NEVuuR8tIRpsSUqCzDI5b/s640/DSC_0928.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP45cv5PKGsLlCYsPPluMvmaB8XNd750xThdso_bNIaOxay-ITKytQDL0Kgr-dvRvGTZfC-oLpfsYNAG1Phf6WidOF25BlWbnuVKhZ5piow2woPln417IxJfcQdpWajLENtPIP5t6b8FMF/s1600/DSC_0949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP45cv5PKGsLlCYsPPluMvmaB8XNd750xThdso_bNIaOxay-ITKytQDL0Kgr-dvRvGTZfC-oLpfsYNAG1Phf6WidOF25BlWbnuVKhZ5piow2woPln417IxJfcQdpWajLENtPIP5t6b8FMF/s640/DSC_0949.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeLxrirhsFC6QIW8nqxDa3nQL0AfBM1Uo5naPyZLd-PnLxafQlm3WN0DgsWJttd-3uvSENipsr83vpQ8tP5Xsui-ol5wEMmwTsQORhg4OwKbDaEbxUc4yjDYsbZdbo_HlaQRtiHISkcva/s1600/DSC_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeLxrirhsFC6QIW8nqxDa3nQL0AfBM1Uo5naPyZLd-PnLxafQlm3WN0DgsWJttd-3uvSENipsr83vpQ8tP5Xsui-ol5wEMmwTsQORhg4OwKbDaEbxUc4yjDYsbZdbo_HlaQRtiHISkcva/s640/DSC_0956.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHIubnqg2f3TVCSi481zoISTV8t8CI9BDvf8NJwHO817So9Y_D1MRWKWpG3vEZRbGJMEkKJXqpE0AGaPL55Y5HcSptuEHQLqQiLAYbzeYeN02rF15mFqFc4v3H5i0FXbXgPiRJPVS_zsK/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHIubnqg2f3TVCSi481zoISTV8t8CI9BDvf8NJwHO817So9Y_D1MRWKWpG3vEZRbGJMEkKJXqpE0AGaPL55Y5HcSptuEHQLqQiLAYbzeYeN02rF15mFqFc4v3H5i0FXbXgPiRJPVS_zsK/s640/DSC_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging out the the sisters</td></tr>
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<h3>
Afro</h3>
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I used this wonderful guide from <a href="https://playbarbies.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/custom-rotini-or-halo-hair/">How to Play with Barbies. </a> It's a modified boil-curl that you pick apart with your fingers until it's fluffy. I made my dolls 'fro very large- I had intended to trim it more, but it's so big and bold, it feels wrong to tone it down! (I'll probably trim it down...)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7JPtM_XdTcjOXXKBz0XGTqgJg-TPv1pzW2dNhya5kBmc6EspTCGMZ8YReOBWrEtZ8LJCnIyBrIEpLsztNbFQY2KLwO_a37Bz3uWjOofkHl-Cy2dXPtQbOBb6S18GQkGL-PKHm8YqWDk9/s1600/IMG_4343_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7JPtM_XdTcjOXXKBz0XGTqgJg-TPv1pzW2dNhya5kBmc6EspTCGMZ8YReOBWrEtZ8LJCnIyBrIEpLsztNbFQY2KLwO_a37Bz3uWjOofkHl-Cy2dXPtQbOBb6S18GQkGL-PKHm8YqWDk9/s640/IMG_4343_2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading for a boil curl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PIIfnktL2hM9ZcS4ewb_rSk9gmYnKyX7W2-k2NwBworlwo4jurUDjpxSXMg54xccUiI8ipmYVysUqdSCNGTgsq_XAmz7DCZyL8W0KhEiQmQ5s1lL8tPC5uGxNb5XAyQ1ElBUkwRKpqaP/s1600/IMG_4346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PIIfnktL2hM9ZcS4ewb_rSk9gmYnKyX7W2-k2NwBworlwo4jurUDjpxSXMg54xccUiI8ipmYVysUqdSCNGTgsq_XAmz7DCZyL8W0KhEiQmQ5s1lL8tPC5uGxNb5XAyQ1ElBUkwRKpqaP/s640/IMG_4346.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picked out to perfection</td></tr>
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<h3>
Dreadlocks</h3>
Another <a href="https://playbarbies.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/custom-give-your-doll-natty-locs-in-20-minutes/">How to Play with Barbies</a> guide uses the <b>doll's original hair and an iron</b>. The guide says it takes 20 minutes- it felt much longer to me! But the results were a lot of fun- works great with doll hair that's already in bad shape. I even melted away the stump of unwanted bangs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVk_rdxrt7t-1r9BRl2fgHIZlwGDHaJDudOymaKXtylYnc8E0TNX3Nl1DLFUIQkIN1Q5-bO83G2Jm0dJpKPzu-h9Or9eLiz5FFzfU0w4Jc2xN_98R-bFAbQ0gkURmQmVxXNZVLhdr-gM-6/s1600/IMG_8749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVk_rdxrt7t-1r9BRl2fgHIZlwGDHaJDudOymaKXtylYnc8E0TNX3Nl1DLFUIQkIN1Q5-bO83G2Jm0dJpKPzu-h9Or9eLiz5FFzfU0w4Jc2xN_98R-bFAbQ0gkURmQmVxXNZVLhdr-gM-6/s640/IMG_8749.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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The final result is rather stiff, but it has a unique quality I like.<br />
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For a <b>yarn re-root</b>, check out this video by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e948U7bfQ6A">My Froggy Stuff</a>. I found it challenging to work with a needle that was large enough to thread yarn, but small enough to fit through the holes. Size 20 or 18 seem to be the correct option- I bought a multi-size pack labeled "chenille."<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Nrxzn60NYflBQVcS2hJ8oUhpMTAwDpuLwrByY0dessf3lQXVL_dXu9hw5oUUxdj5OLD0pzfcWTF3bHbt1NQD8ILN8lU4SG6qBf6zxOkcz4MMJwFWWTwKk3YiZS6IfCkQlmJJv_UQlk7i/s1600/IMG_8721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Nrxzn60NYflBQVcS2hJ8oUhpMTAwDpuLwrByY0dessf3lQXVL_dXu9hw5oUUxdj5OLD0pzfcWTF3bHbt1NQD8ILN8lU4SG6qBf6zxOkcz4MMJwFWWTwKk3YiZS6IfCkQlmJJv_UQlk7i/s640/IMG_8721.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supplies for yarn re-root - also, get yourself a pack of needle-threaders</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyTvjWmVTmwkShAu9Vs9KNEbqvK5C-7UscC7Ixn1gj346RJ3BNGXXRtYw9JNOHl2t49i7iW5Z5TkAWIlFdT4mrKwwzP9Iu_1ha-6t6q4Z7gHOuRBgM40BOwqoKG9ddiR5cPvoC0lkkQdA/s1600/IMG_8722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyTvjWmVTmwkShAu9Vs9KNEbqvK5C-7UscC7Ixn1gj346RJ3BNGXXRtYw9JNOHl2t49i7iW5Z5TkAWIlFdT4mrKwwzP9Iu_1ha-6t6q4Z7gHOuRBgM40BOwqoKG9ddiR5cPvoC0lkkQdA/s640/IMG_8722.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">giant needle! You see why the thimble and pliers are helpful.</td></tr>
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I love the results on this, but like all re-rooting, it was very slow. It took me 40 minutes to scrape all the original hair out of her head with a tweezers. Then rooting the outside circle of her head took one hour, twenty minutes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5tfZ4a5gLhKgdwW6viCxfFeN3gn_WbDgRdlJErzWdPDagkOvnlFoOqfc0hd2iKjSUJjeWsoDwvYAe4oEzWKQbXNoWfPLcXzDwpx8bLEtc3_zf-cjRLWyWnZof5Sv1HGRemjP1mR6I7sE/s1600/IMG_8751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI5tfZ4a5gLhKgdwW6viCxfFeN3gn_WbDgRdlJErzWdPDagkOvnlFoOqfc0hd2iKjSUJjeWsoDwvYAe4oEzWKQbXNoWfPLcXzDwpx8bLEtc3_zf-cjRLWyWnZof5Sv1HGRemjP1mR6I7sE/s640/IMG_8751.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Even with all this work, I find myself looking forward to the next re-rooting project. The potential for creativity and the professional looking finish are satisfying.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAVcmvvNOUI&feature=youtu.be">Limbe Dolls</a> teaches how to make a dreadlock <b>wig using pantyhose</b> and yarn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9gnB_VmJM7MsVIqwCZw0e0q6B44rmfd-FNEYAlAz7u0Whsm5ihmpJCCI0pVRop-U5tzxZrDRRDIwI0oTGqee_JbPMbf8NsHtyGZTmlqBe_hOm-i7JlX6_jL-UBuY1WPUAcO-6FKAamHb/s1600/IMG_8736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9gnB_VmJM7MsVIqwCZw0e0q6B44rmfd-FNEYAlAz7u0Whsm5ihmpJCCI0pVRop-U5tzxZrDRRDIwI0oTGqee_JbPMbf8NsHtyGZTmlqBe_hOm-i7JlX6_jL-UBuY1WPUAcO-6FKAamHb/s640/IMG_8736.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using the pantyhose elastic to create a wig cap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKl-3xapEo43AEbz9FunGmBNGdGjRg9gDBd8H1DpNUYUHJ7jqQmBA-_aWpOP_SLvKTv8UROiR6l_dGUAL3AUYXRNc55w767yyABJw4SYAAsRBeFQjThKiQihaxhzGAj_whBnp2OXZpulr/s1600/IMG_8738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKl-3xapEo43AEbz9FunGmBNGdGjRg9gDBd8H1DpNUYUHJ7jqQmBA-_aWpOP_SLvKTv8UROiR6l_dGUAL3AUYXRNc55w767yyABJw4SYAAsRBeFQjThKiQihaxhzGAj_whBnp2OXZpulr/s640/IMG_8738.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess this would also be a good guide for making beanies</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMitSKBhofZjaDD4AeY3bKaFyQv4iz1KlzSnx92hWDovP5Ae1c60LrcffIa4c6YuhZHrQiFf8nFs_I00dkhZSWKQaxVo6FPHco-DiHTjdUV9tmvm3_0PFgAouZQzP63VoZW9hreoIl-rxt/s1600/IMG_8742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMitSKBhofZjaDD4AeY3bKaFyQv4iz1KlzSnx92hWDovP5Ae1c60LrcffIa4c6YuhZHrQiFf8nFs_I00dkhZSWKQaxVo6FPHco-DiHTjdUV9tmvm3_0PFgAouZQzP63VoZW9hreoIl-rxt/s640/IMG_8742.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I didn't sew on my yarn according to instructions- I just did what felt right at the moment. (It worked okay.) This was amazingly faster than re-rooting.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIDBAAi2bg2kXC1ueFyAHTobMEfNQv2_b0uI76iAZKBpUW9euKw8AkTiYojyBW9G0laRxFfzEa_A0Cjvi2hazeNX2qV8Op7qvUCPgef7vcpDUi9AynagPKnrUiBJpD1SBRD4QZjbHRVt2/s1600/IMG_8746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIDBAAi2bg2kXC1ueFyAHTobMEfNQv2_b0uI76iAZKBpUW9euKw8AkTiYojyBW9G0laRxFfzEa_A0Cjvi2hazeNX2qV8Op7qvUCPgef7vcpDUi9AynagPKnrUiBJpD1SBRD4QZjbHRVt2/s640/IMG_8746.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new style to cover up bald patches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<h3>
Short Hairstyles</h3>
You can make a solid hair style with <b>modeling paste</b>, with this guide from <a href="http://limbedolls.blogspot.com/2013/08/hair-show.html">Limbe Dolls</a>. (I haven't tried it yet, will come back.)</div>
<div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xCRTKGDnkM">No Nap Time</a> instructs how to make a <b>yarn re-root </b>that's short with full coverage. This was so much work. Even though the end results are so cute.<br />
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I didn't have a huge needle at the time, so I kept pulling the yarn apart, finer and finer... Also, I went through about eight needle-threaders.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC2KgS0ovTCVB5SrLw5hq14mrjPFVMi8rYDFC3wpOBLt0Y_YVfL572WvZdFLpZAbSAimeIMkT6gWIQTfk1MrKFheFAw6nJyoDQsGzb4wl1os8f5Dpn2eMv2SKWAl7XUXDv4rusjtD5zrJ/s1600/IMG_8543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPC2KgS0ovTCVB5SrLw5hq14mrjPFVMi8rYDFC3wpOBLt0Y_YVfL572WvZdFLpZAbSAimeIMkT6gWIQTfk1MrKFheFAw6nJyoDQsGzb4wl1os8f5Dpn2eMv2SKWAl7XUXDv4rusjtD5zrJ/s640/IMG_8543.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yarn goes through the threader, and the threader goes through the needle, and the needle goes through the scalp</td></tr>
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After giving Kida this long hair style, is was hard to cut it down to the size I'd planned for her.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL2UV7I9yGA8HHwhMCwSLwCtSmxKzEAXjrxPqhnl-s55efHsrqMZwSvz6LXn0u_gh30BOpxCRB6EZTSSbYSq89liQ_Xh0eGClT8yQlh0MakSrvlpDBpQg_SDE6FMiCLzbNsATIif0z2mc/s1600/DSC_0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKL2UV7I9yGA8HHwhMCwSLwCtSmxKzEAXjrxPqhnl-s55efHsrqMZwSvz6LXn0u_gh30BOpxCRB6EZTSSbYSq89liQ_Xh0eGClT8yQlh0MakSrvlpDBpQg_SDE6FMiCLzbNsATIif0z2mc/s640/DSC_0099.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kida with long hair</td></tr>
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But, I trimmed it in a series, which was a fun process.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMM4h3jD76rw8gbxCLJwWosW-EvahyphenhyphenYb6Imxv1_wd83PxHIwCLji-upJ4woYv7I1WfUzAv6Fezszq1sHCgLJ2_-Fasd5cFYpi3KCu6BNtUkIyNeA949uQcY1Ev2ok3rcJCNDPsQMMBwmf/s1600/IMG_1159+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMM4h3jD76rw8gbxCLJwWosW-EvahyphenhyphenYb6Imxv1_wd83PxHIwCLji-upJ4woYv7I1WfUzAv6Fezszq1sHCgLJ2_-Fasd5cFYpi3KCu6BNtUkIyNeA949uQcY1Ev2ok3rcJCNDPsQMMBwmf/s640/IMG_1159+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">trimming hair 4... 3... 2...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_0cQTsLk-QoNgS16_8Mx5_bZs98-WWj3kizlNGLvH8HWj7Rh8qw1YzhvCwDxQH9CUWPg3u0MGuTNX7nMB7hzgRlNrOUs2qGli6wv_2YU_vAuWtBJ61N51E7SAU7zQhv09oPw51WBRZHo/s1600/IMG_8753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_0cQTsLk-QoNgS16_8Mx5_bZs98-WWj3kizlNGLvH8HWj7Rh8qw1YzhvCwDxQH9CUWPg3u0MGuTNX7nMB7hzgRlNrOUs2qGli6wv_2YU_vAuWtBJ61N51E7SAU7zQhv09oPw51WBRZHo/s640/IMG_8753.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maybe we'll keep playing with that trim.</td></tr>
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This was fun, because as you can see above, Kida can also wear a wig over her new hair.<br />
<br />
<b>Flocking</b><br />
I haven't tried it yet! We'll come back to it.<br />
I've also seem glitter used- not my personal favorite, but interesting!<br />
<br />
Last, I loved this photo of a doll by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ransomax/16393441973/in/photostream/">M Wilson</a>. I copied it for Barbie using very small <b>pom-poms</b>. (The pictured doll is larger than Barbie, but pompoms come in many sizes, and you could do it differently than I did!)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkQlYvBgV0JfEnu6zIGXJplwu81LAqk_QBZYkekgo81wiAerFP2CsyzCxLpMJFOWjJ4munr_DOb-lLSb1rFfnIGovjEtB-yywH2iWYOsSxxd8wsYUMjKQgua0YlQCHzpgyj4BK9O_lrsO/s640/IMG_8538.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
This project was so easy and fun- I think it only took an hour and maybe cost $5.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzIws7ZEWZsfmLQ0QXyYlKTPTmDBnPTRhhq5U3NPlCaj0KGXF23O5RHy6-Fz9vb4oR0xeS777c_nELbr0aH-VrBFB-pEn6B8m9vmiQCjTRZuU5EP1ASxwJ5lsZ1HA9yORiOlCtxkXSgox/s1600/IMG_8541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRzIws7ZEWZsfmLQ0QXyYlKTPTmDBnPTRhhq5U3NPlCaj0KGXF23O5RHy6-Fz9vb4oR0xeS777c_nELbr0aH-VrBFB-pEn6B8m9vmiQCjTRZuU5EP1ASxwJ5lsZ1HA9yORiOlCtxkXSgox/s640/IMG_8541.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Strangely, this doll was extra easy for removing her original hair. She was a glue-head doll, and this guide for removing the hair from gluey dolls is helpful - from <a href="http://www.fantasydollcustoms.com/2014/05/monster-high-doll-hair-removal-tutorial.html">Fantasy Doll Customs</a><br />
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What favorite hairstyles or guides do you recommend?<br />
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If you want to craft with your dolls, hair is a basic skill. There are two main components- trims, and boil washes. </div>
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My personal preference is for hair styles that reflect reality. Very few people have waist length (or knee-length) hair! Also, doll hair tends to be thick and overwhelming. If you buy a lot of used dolls, like I do, you may be dealing with ratty mussy hair. Here's a good way to tidy it up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHcmPZ06ukqT_Jjex6n-mCoXd1m97ebC8FsgnIoK1NT2fu21GUGfRUouAEh2e5nzfImDWDdU2mcAob4Hlwf8jnjSFsK3K8ZTtuSQEnDXFcmDg05wilEdrARnB5O16Gzbx8uYgV4VqQWur/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-23+at+11.15.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHcmPZ06ukqT_Jjex6n-mCoXd1m97ebC8FsgnIoK1NT2fu21GUGfRUouAEh2e5nzfImDWDdU2mcAob4Hlwf8jnjSFsK3K8ZTtuSQEnDXFcmDg05wilEdrARnB5O16Gzbx8uYgV4VqQWur/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-03-23+at+11.15.33+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYFLJgPvJWv8EANdIk0rMJFWlSoSzfW2CexJiojE1nNuqfWTyYAn_vUlAlPRRaiLPwxKCe1-lMInhVrCFkgnsm8jQTMmY4ObzihH9ZhpA2j7UY2fpqlZg0-zKRLiFSR27AaSw1mKGujIZ/s1600/IMG_5137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYFLJgPvJWv8EANdIk0rMJFWlSoSzfW2CexJiojE1nNuqfWTyYAn_vUlAlPRRaiLPwxKCe1-lMInhVrCFkgnsm8jQTMmY4ObzihH9ZhpA2j7UY2fpqlZg0-zKRLiFSR27AaSw1mKGujIZ/s640/IMG_5137.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No one needs this much hair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h3>
1. Give your doll a basic trim</h3>
Use good sharp scissors. Keep it longer than you want it to be for the first cut. It will probably not be a straight line for the first cut because doll hair is very thick. Take your time, and start longer than you plan to finish. You can always go shorter.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUu6FnijDWDQ8s79GN6ZjDkBssk3A5DMZFwVhO7AITF0eFYbSPLbjJeRcGcZVgNH_nGxU3HBSlyg1DBQlCJZR0tocQmXnVh1u6cN0J1b7Yb4W2XkfYpHbkIWYICwg53eFTV-G9o-uaFLhZ/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUu6FnijDWDQ8s79GN6ZjDkBssk3A5DMZFwVhO7AITF0eFYbSPLbjJeRcGcZVgNH_nGxU3HBSlyg1DBQlCJZR0tocQmXnVh1u6cN0J1b7Yb4W2XkfYpHbkIWYICwg53eFTV-G9o-uaFLhZ/s640/DSC_0024.JPG" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needs a second trim!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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You may find some surprises, like a bad rooting pattern. Tinkerbell is nearly bald in the center of her head because she always wears a high bun. Keep it in mind for your final hair cut plans.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgSxcfH9r0G2bcEBDSQUMNnZI4KDcI3tqiaydrkbTLXS6o6UidJEisSaTA8MTY7ei-UmO6mHAbo0fPxpRBRVsobYPTWfmqTRWnqdAIorRBHYmnWjIpXLZcPL_RWQHyPJclt1N-nsQXCIU/s1600/IMG_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgSxcfH9r0G2bcEBDSQUMNnZI4KDcI3tqiaydrkbTLXS6o6UidJEisSaTA8MTY7ei-UmO6mHAbo0fPxpRBRVsobYPTWfmqTRWnqdAIorRBHYmnWjIpXLZcPL_RWQHyPJclt1N-nsQXCIU/s640/IMG_0658.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
2. Prep for Boil Wash</h3>
Doll hair is made of plastic, so it reacts differently than human hair. Merely brushing it may make it frizzy and out of control. But boiling doll hair makes it flexible and willing to conform.<br />
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For a boil wash, all you need is a doll, freshly boiled water, cheap conditioner, and a flea comb! (Look in the pet care aisle.) I like to pour my boiling water into a separate bowl. Dunking your doll into the stove pot can melt hair if it touches the metal.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulZp-7h4GjgZZXFWp2Q83jlip8Go9HS5UrH_lrH_lE0eUCGpvBpTSV5E9Rp5jnoJuaOWZ-SSV5tfHnCqgTu_PGDrqM_T1PBXkBU3N4MPK_w1jD1t1xKiMfqsGXV4IjDNNsnFCw8mgIMts/s1600/IMG_5167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulZp-7h4GjgZZXFWp2Q83jlip8Go9HS5UrH_lrH_lE0eUCGpvBpTSV5E9Rp5jnoJuaOWZ-SSV5tfHnCqgTu_PGDrqM_T1PBXkBU3N4MPK_w1jD1t1xKiMfqsGXV4IjDNNsnFCw8mgIMts/s640/IMG_5167.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
3. Soak your doll's hair in the conditioner.</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmBO_uMGtTXN4gmHCEmxgzHBzsBQNrKiANgnfBuvWTsWF1EUFygX0qU81t23dMVc_nW6qKgtiqUpjO_9-lALDKiiMKDFnBEWwrK21U0pCt73PWi9SzNCv-szmcy80UlR47Eh0BZDRHHOC/s1600/IMG_5169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmBO_uMGtTXN4gmHCEmxgzHBzsBQNrKiANgnfBuvWTsWF1EUFygX0qU81t23dMVc_nW6qKgtiqUpjO_9-lALDKiiMKDFnBEWwrK21U0pCt73PWi9SzNCv-szmcy80UlR47Eh0BZDRHHOC/s640/IMG_5169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<h3>
4. Brush your doll's head in the hot water. </h3>
Slowly comb it until it's glossy. Be sure to comb the hair down like gravity wants to go as well, or the hair will want to stay pointing up! (In Tinkerbell's case, leave the hair pointing up so it's ready for a new bun or ponytail.)</div>
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You may want to try pouring boiling water over an upright doll, then adjusting details with your comb.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MoO3qKQAUYFTZ3TYtCDhJ-7YEkn7MXNpn8DpHzKQXQ-kbGRRiscjsRtMFpg4zDZl2Xewyr1pXXsm-v9437omEM4ciQhzgZW4t16ysMQHOPuBCA_BWm19zpabpRWQk8nAs2NktJw9CQM8/s1600/DSC_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5MoO3qKQAUYFTZ3TYtCDhJ-7YEkn7MXNpn8DpHzKQXQ-kbGRRiscjsRtMFpg4zDZl2Xewyr1pXXsm-v9437omEM4ciQhzgZW4t16ysMQHOPuBCA_BWm19zpabpRWQk8nAs2NktJw9CQM8/s400/DSC_0016.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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<h3>
4. Let the hair dry. </h3>
Don't trim immediately or it will melt together. (Boiled hair is almost melted- don't overdo it)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyn0nsY_MrZ9iJ9PcId_p6QyHU6ILqJhmxBVPhsUiRWbaj-a9LpmJebCCj-oDO4x7zKYiSMlNgvmnqp0gHbNoXr-PNsohQnULTSXC0B50z4yLOxPTQXs_MJd-WP7kh2Lk5BhEflv2G3Ik/s1600/IMG_5142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyn0nsY_MrZ9iJ9PcId_p6QyHU6ILqJhmxBVPhsUiRWbaj-a9LpmJebCCj-oDO4x7zKYiSMlNgvmnqp0gHbNoXr-PNsohQnULTSXC0B50z4yLOxPTQXs_MJd-WP7kh2Lk5BhEflv2G3Ik/s640/IMG_5142.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
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<h3>
5. Trim again </h3>
When dry, comb the hair again so you can see it clearly and work on detail trimming.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You can cut vertically to thin the hair.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwiZKOxOMClbNp_wSuYqYnm7cst6JwY1DEVSvHMb7EEV6s_rF3j6IoajyIsxVXRvqXTI4X5hByZqd1eDpxtvWqryX86aE4pAVX8cOatcTbYAWL4FV-MJev2SvB9ylQPJ6d0KU3mOkuXFt/s1600/IMG_5141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwiZKOxOMClbNp_wSuYqYnm7cst6JwY1DEVSvHMb7EEV6s_rF3j6IoajyIsxVXRvqXTI4X5hByZqd1eDpxtvWqryX86aE4pAVX8cOatcTbYAWL4FV-MJev2SvB9ylQPJ6d0KU3mOkuXFt/s640/IMG_5141.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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You can also divide portions of the hair aside with binder clips or rubber bands to focus on a smaller area. Here, I'm creating layers by trimming a vertical portion with a little curve.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqJalau93pMWTNQ-Xq8LKzjgPh6BVhjJZgwUhq9ftMJrncgtinOLSWoGsxxgWQ4nHo-koMmwXjdjgkReYbf1hrCHs7qTtuhcFOhmWRjij6TDNWAi-RYqXj7TupEsZ7UOruuMuD4N5GXpM/s1600/IMG_5144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqJalau93pMWTNQ-Xq8LKzjgPh6BVhjJZgwUhq9ftMJrncgtinOLSWoGsxxgWQ4nHo-koMmwXjdjgkReYbf1hrCHs7qTtuhcFOhmWRjij6TDNWAi-RYqXj7TupEsZ7UOruuMuD4N5GXpM/s640/IMG_5144.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is a helpful project to do en masse once you have the swing of things.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rMUyKI7sB6tbdiipey6rLXPrvQcchJnHah3AlCjx8OL5Sjzn6saDsO3M-6wl5CWHg2Vb6sUDoZ_rUQJxLh6eTr9_ok4mJjb8Oqg0EJXxPpybFTG7P7gTQHt2Tl-i42LDRXApDrWl9MDU/s1600/IMG_4873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rMUyKI7sB6tbdiipey6rLXPrvQcchJnHah3AlCjx8OL5Sjzn6saDsO3M-6wl5CWHg2Vb6sUDoZ_rUQJxLh6eTr9_ok4mJjb8Oqg0EJXxPpybFTG7P7gTQHt2Tl-i42LDRXApDrWl9MDU/s640/IMG_4873.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">that one day I decided everyone needed a haircut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Boil Curling</h3>
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Boil washes can also be used for making hair curl. (Pipe cleaners are a cheap option.) The hair sets into position when boiled. Just wrap your own curls into a pipe cleaner or a small hair curler, dunk the head into boiling water for 10 seconds, and let it dry overnight. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKX0ktt2HamUMC7tBtNE8nkH61g5ciVeDoVEhDkuY9qoWYzsOXCLsDIhCDNLrFvwQUZ9nEAZ7g0iXJwZ5rPb2Pru4sul2fZq2I5_h17dP1cCCwxm4UvVsH_LeQORn2ewGALa3wB0iGeBU/s1600/IMG_4343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKX0ktt2HamUMC7tBtNE8nkH61g5ciVeDoVEhDkuY9qoWYzsOXCLsDIhCDNLrFvwQUZ9nEAZ7g0iXJwZ5rPb2Pru4sul2fZq2I5_h17dP1cCCwxm4UvVsH_LeQORn2ewGALa3wB0iGeBU/s640/IMG_4343.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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In the morning, remove the curlers. Gently use your fingers to set the hairstyle in place. A comb can help for a more wavy look, but it might mess up your spirals.</div>
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More Ideas for Boil Perms</div>
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<a href="http://hubpages.com/art/How-to-Curl-Doll-Hair-Learn-to-Boil-Perm-your-Barbie-or-Monster-High-Dolls-Hair">A Spiral Curl with Perm Rods</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mellieanne/6965112429/in/photostream">Perm with cut up straw and pins</a> for ringlets</div>
Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-60469232968897923972016-06-23T11:22:00.002-07:002016-06-23T11:40:32.003-07:00Why I Don't Slut-Shame My Dolls<b>Slut-Shaming</b>:<i> </i>the act of criticising a woman for her real or presumed sexual activity, or for behaving in ways that someone thinks are associated with her real or presumed sexual activity.<br />
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People... often criticize women's appearance for being too sexual (according to their standards of acceptable sexuality), in order to control women. They also often blame women for being victims/survivors of rape, by using similar appearance-based criticisms.<br />
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reference: <a href="http://geekfeminism.wikia.com/wiki/Slut_shaming">Geek Feminism Wiki</a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosRObXT00_MMDHydNM1GPMh5O-66CsazPn_FIh0OewKjzWNbcmPMfOhtPrNdhmRzmgQQgLVFe3DjgdHhvzdXJZ9tJUnVk9GaenEFeIzsH1_koQmk3law1MgRXKns1us3cfu14D03SB4Y4/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosRObXT00_MMDHydNM1GPMh5O-66CsazPn_FIh0OewKjzWNbcmPMfOhtPrNdhmRzmgQQgLVFe3DjgdHhvzdXJZ9tJUnVk9GaenEFeIzsH1_koQmk3law1MgRXKns1us3cfu14D03SB4Y4/s640/DSC_0044.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mattel thinks women only buy one length of skirt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Barbie often wears short skirts.<br />
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Similar to my views on <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2016/03/why-i-dont-skinny-shame-my-dolls.html">skinny-shaming</a>, I admit this isn't an ideal situation. However, it has been overly criticized in a way that seems more likely to give kids a bad perspective rather than a good one. Barbie is "<a href="http://time.com/4196777/barbie-feminist-filipovic/">literally objectified</a>," Monster High dolls get compared to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/18/goth-barbie_n_3613443.html">prostitutes</a>, and even Ever After High dolls have been called "<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2015-disney-princess-hasbro/">tarted up princesses</a>." Is this the kind of language and perspective we want to teach young people to view themselves and others?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3ZO7A-s6cpla0LvMDgmddnGAVoQdgxj_OGc7gi7KieVcKDDX8pIuT3YO8H3Q3iDW7LY63MHieqQ-1bacP5L_VBnM4sUa2vGxa24GXNlBqbdBIxy3yF4xboc5vnPKbB1QX9ox3WDux8th/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3ZO7A-s6cpla0LvMDgmddnGAVoQdgxj_OGc7gi7KieVcKDDX8pIuT3YO8H3Q3iDW7LY63MHieqQ-1bacP5L_VBnM4sUa2vGxa24GXNlBqbdBIxy3yF4xboc5vnPKbB1QX9ox3WDux8th/s640/DSC_0025.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll judge you, you judge me, we're a judgy family</td></tr>
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I don't believe there is anything inherently wrong with short skirts. It doesn't mean anything- it's not an invitation or a statement. It's just clothes.</div>
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I acknowledge that there are problematic aspect to short skirts. It's not a practical clothing choice for Police Barbie or Dentist Barbie.<br />
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Additionally, I am a little sad when I'm trying to photograph a doll, and her outfit is revealing more than I want, or she can't find a comfortable way to sit. (I noticed that even the animators of the Monster High cartoons struggle to deal with this problem. In this scene, Frankie's skirt magically grew longer when she sat down.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyGhFSDZiv33KcDTSmdWBpPOBFS7uHl0FnKUiQ85jycOWnHXliylg6tM0yznvXQ3azgwtsO6yC2bFhRvpMJ0lWg8H6FUsCX-VZ9d3AKy4Uus8dw2L58jj-sWtWCHtdZnhvjZu1Qy7py8C/s1600/IMG_0934.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyGhFSDZiv33KcDTSmdWBpPOBFS7uHl0FnKUiQ85jycOWnHXliylg6tM0yznvXQ3azgwtsO6yC2bFhRvpMJ0lWg8H6FUsCX-VZ9d3AKy4Uus8dw2L58jj-sWtWCHtdZnhvjZu1Qy7py8C/s400/IMG_0934.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skirts get shorter when you sit, not longer.</td></tr>
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</div>
<div>
I know that I always suggest the same solution- but I'd like to see a wide <b>variety</b> of skirt lengths, and pants, and shorts, and job/business attire, etc. The problem isn't that short skirts exist, but their ubiquity. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz4nY9L7RL0XrFOa2d2rLKUTJO376cOnvGxb4MFjb6pi3mD5VV6KIVybBeepBulWtTlay5G8zSTX2KtS6XUqj8C1dsrv0o3sPTEpuC5SRij2-Soy7Tfb5xDk1Ozz5ZqRsO9989_7ysv6V/s1600/DSC_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz4nY9L7RL0XrFOa2d2rLKUTJO376cOnvGxb4MFjb6pi3mD5VV6KIVybBeepBulWtTlay5G8zSTX2KtS6XUqj8C1dsrv0o3sPTEpuC5SRij2-Soy7Tfb5xDk1Ozz5ZqRsO9989_7ysv6V/s640/DSC_0016.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clawdia knows how to mix fashion and business</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Doll clothes can be the best part of the doll. They suggest personality, occupation, and storyline.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbIyCweGmk1EElbJP75oXcxz_qLztAMOdg7VWl_gfjKRVG6w9vtuO730aNKFeXb0td3sPXsSmPECX6_7nyjESXAlPXxRHzxAooj6pRc_uOXAOwsKVL5BjjqSILEOCTp5ImVBI1GA3rpKr/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbIyCweGmk1EElbJP75oXcxz_qLztAMOdg7VWl_gfjKRVG6w9vtuO730aNKFeXb0td3sPXsSmPECX6_7nyjESXAlPXxRHzxAooj6pRc_uOXAOwsKVL5BjjqSILEOCTp5ImVBI1GA3rpKr/s640/DSC_0009.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Conservative and businesslike? Dreamy and loves to dance?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, slut-shaming doesn't teach young children good life skills, but one-note outfits and sexualized work attire isn't the answer either.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6CiCdXU1HiOEwuzdQvApUhpQmLjjRB_1p9yxZ4Fq1evbtgq4rUT2L6nE09SfnmRFTFyBQicJTS4qHM3Yh9FxCM21UHkvwNV12LPG7rh9yOMxSM1HXngyKZ2gXjJq21aMOIyieQpFg35B/s1600/DSC_0030+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6CiCdXU1HiOEwuzdQvApUhpQmLjjRB_1p9yxZ4Fq1evbtgq4rUT2L6nE09SfnmRFTFyBQicJTS4qHM3Yh9FxCM21UHkvwNV12LPG7rh9yOMxSM1HXngyKZ2gXjJq21aMOIyieQpFg35B/s640/DSC_0030+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Think of the children!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It has been helpful to look to non-Mattel doll lines for better clothing variety. <a href="http://www.zeeniedollz.com/">Kazumi</a> wears a cute, girly outfit that covers her from wrist to ankle. And Goddess is wearing a pair of Liv pants and Ken's T-shirt for a cool casual look.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYhng9lizRK5AFcbqVbVe_LDI7Mz1hznsVFadF4NgFygE1mT0gSQHQJHdjBtCRKimC-29QwKJ8BvhvXf2BPSGGle4uMKuZfb-6al0mIB7CUIrZWkM6D5OVlLcBK9pAAYZTYWaKqayuaLd/s1600/DSC_0032+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYhng9lizRK5AFcbqVbVe_LDI7Mz1hznsVFadF4NgFygE1mT0gSQHQJHdjBtCRKimC-29QwKJ8BvhvXf2BPSGGle4uMKuZfb-6al0mIB7CUIrZWkM6D5OVlLcBK9pAAYZTYWaKqayuaLd/s640/DSC_0032+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Casual, realistic clothes is a place where <a href="http://lammily.com/fashion/">Lammily</a> is excelling. I just got my new Lammily doll, whom I've named Paget. She and Margot modeled their new duds. (by the way, I love Lammily, but I don't appreciate the company's desire to body-shame other dolls.) </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8wc5CdAK19MG4ny3gg4F-aonNuhbf5Czr3t9wrfjTD-dLl1VjmWiZjHK7rnZ3TNb2rm0ApxcvblzIgMIp6-5cbzbBPF-QmMMAI7ivBg-dT5wf0dybziAU8bkAmIBnS9mPu1TUqMzAVyo/s1600/DSC_0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8wc5CdAK19MG4ny3gg4F-aonNuhbf5Czr3t9wrfjTD-dLl1VjmWiZjHK7rnZ3TNb2rm0ApxcvblzIgMIp6-5cbzbBPF-QmMMAI7ivBg-dT5wf0dybziAU8bkAmIBnS9mPu1TUqMzAVyo/s640/DSC_0253.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolls in clothes like I'd actually wear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It takes effort to make a doll collection that is diverse, creative, and can teach valuable lessons. Mattel and other companies have made some efforts, but they don't make it easy on you. However, rejecting fashion dolls entirely and spreading slut-shaming misses a great opportunity for all the creativity and joy dolls can bring.</div>
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 125px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 5163px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 125px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 5163px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-78034706345106916742016-05-12T17:04:00.001-07:002016-06-23T11:32:52.546-07:00Ever After High: Dolls and CartoonsI already owned a few <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2016/04/monster-high-dolls-and-cartoons.html">Monster High</a> dolls before I checked out the spin-off line, Ever After High. I'm not a princess fan, but I wondered if sweet cute dolls would be more my style than creepy inhuman dolls. Yet, so far I like MH slightly more- it's a mixed reaction. Monster High seems to be better at diversity and creativity.<br />
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I currently own the same number of both dolls, but that is mostly because I bought several of these cheap. You can see I've been trying to modify two ladies with new faces.<br />
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Duchess is my very favorite! I may just be buying other dolls so she can steal their clothes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOR04Mo_23PKaLBrT3d8-KkEuQxZ27spBbxs5MrAtBPU4aWIoB8Ko42a9V5j_QQDM7R3QPsjIfx8jwpcpcctpwBaQfr43c433XhOhEJPvte2us8M8WiLA-SI-LFyZrP2Ma4WoZ8p6G32RZ/s1600/DSC_0066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOR04Mo_23PKaLBrT3d8-KkEuQxZ27spBbxs5MrAtBPU4aWIoB8Ko42a9V5j_QQDM7R3QPsjIfx8jwpcpcctpwBaQfr43c433XhOhEJPvte2us8M8WiLA-SI-LFyZrP2Ma4WoZ8p6G32RZ/s640/DSC_0066.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Ever After High gang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Ever After High cartoon is fun, exciting, with beautiful artwork and some challenging themes. I prefer it to the Monster High cartoons. However, EAH has more head scratchers. Yes, there are many things in MH that don't make sense (wait, Draculaura is 1600 years old? Is she ever going to be allowed to graduate high school?), but EAH wins in the category for troubling themes.<br />
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Content note: long post<br />
<h3>
1. Weird Families</h3>
Ever After High School is for the teen sons and daughters of famous fairy tale characters. Unlike Monster High, where students are encouraged to be themselves, EAH students are expected to be exactly the same as their parents. Apple White, the daughter of Snow White will grow up to eat a poisoned apple, die, be kissed, become queen, etc.<br />
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Naturally, Raven Queen, the daughter of the evil queen, isn't as excited about playing the villain in this storyline.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSfrCkA6LGtlLH5AL8cNXjqqYLasmDLknFwA7JMOme_7yQprZJVb4wJqesSp_KxIzbRy7KhpnLNMRBENHQTF599g824iEPRzZHO2pTLeMQDLVFqg8MM_5BmyGZ04nxYsTMTRzFZsJXCBg/s1600/eah.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSfrCkA6LGtlLH5AL8cNXjqqYLasmDLknFwA7JMOme_7yQprZJVb4wJqesSp_KxIzbRy7KhpnLNMRBENHQTF599g824iEPRzZHO2pTLeMQDLVFqg8MM_5BmyGZ04nxYsTMTRzFZsJXCBg/s400/eah.14.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a picture of Raven's future</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have so many questions about this. Who is Raven's other parent? If Snow White married Prince Charming, and Apple White will also marry a Prince Charming, won't she be marrying a direct relative?<br />
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Obviously the writers have fun playing with this. Beauty's daughter, Rosabella Beauty, is canonically the cousin of Sleeping Beauty's daughter, Briar Beauty. Cute! Though, does that mean the mothers both kept their maiden names after marriage? Or didn't marry? Wait, who is Rosabella going to marry? She can't marry the Beast's son, her brother.<br />
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This issue got super weird during an internet short cartoon about the daughter of Cinderella, Ashlynn Ella in<a href="http://www.everafterhigh.com/en-us/videos/watch/ashlynns-fashion-frolic"> Ashlynn's Fashion Frolic</a>. Ashlynn gets an unwanted visit from her two step-sisters... Why does she have stepsisters? Did Cinderella die young, and Prince Charming married someone else? That seems closest to the original storyline, but it's super sad. Maybe Charming was the one who died? Did they get a divorce? Are the original fairy tale characters obligated to order their lives in a way that will enable their children the best chance of replicating them?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCqu2t34cok9K-tSBtVP2aG7wahkK2ao0bvve8-EZNYohSEmAKsrXP_3e8LBfnWjVWmCRZc1TO87Uel_is4kGeXhc6cuN8PGK_ZLXht7Sjmj36bDjL4v-bOobN26tN6zKPrkZ24BC7-UP/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-10+at+8.24.50+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCqu2t34cok9K-tSBtVP2aG7wahkK2ao0bvve8-EZNYohSEmAKsrXP_3e8LBfnWjVWmCRZc1TO87Uel_is4kGeXhc6cuN8PGK_ZLXht7Sjmj36bDjL4v-bOobN26tN6zKPrkZ24BC7-UP/s400/Screen+Shot+2016-05-10+at+8.24.50+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Step-sisters bein' nasty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Is Ashlynn's mom even the original Cinderella? Maybe this has been going on for generations?<br />
(They could have been step-cousins, daughters of the School Librarian Step-Sisters.)<br />
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It's too frustrating. I'm probably thinking harder about this than the writers wanted me to think. But, a good story shouldn't discourage you from thinking too hard about it. I can utilize suspension of disbelief to a point. After that point, I just feel sad.<br />
<h3>
2. Destiny & Bad Role Models</h3>
I'm looking for someone to blame for this terrible idea of making teens live their parent's lives. The obvious candidate is the Headmaster of EAH, Milton Grimm. (I bet he has a brother, haha.) He spends a lot of time pressuring students to pursue their "destiny," and seems to rely on questionable ways of doing it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0gABWlFV87_e09X6JYcyKR9o4MjT3ujhRUcf30dW3H_RISIFHWcaycMYRbe8ZPkvMv5KlT2BSG9T0ANwG2grODYOYRs7tjsPLaS7XIEyH944ueuACvqibXi0g_A5lkzPC9LZtcym_Hdv/s1600/eah.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0gABWlFV87_e09X6JYcyKR9o4MjT3ujhRUcf30dW3H_RISIFHWcaycMYRbe8ZPkvMv5KlT2BSG9T0ANwG2grODYOYRs7tjsPLaS7XIEyH944ueuACvqibXi0g_A5lkzPC9LZtcym_Hdv/s640/eah.08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A teacher who doesn't like ideas.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42vX5r699DgX4yhj_THFGbyuS2XcVucmrMRtB_UB0j1-WbVE1mU39TZ1yr4WekuCvMa3z43zRBhkxrpCSyA1ooQOQTE8zLyspOWNVcln334bp1juk8n5hDxTHKAMHzZoksxWL6Mf0fVCP/s1600/eah.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42vX5r699DgX4yhj_THFGbyuS2XcVucmrMRtB_UB0j1-WbVE1mU39TZ1yr4WekuCvMa3z43zRBhkxrpCSyA1ooQOQTE8zLyspOWNVcln334bp1juk8n5hDxTHKAMHzZoksxWL6Mf0fVCP/s640/eah.20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A principal without principles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Don't be deceived by how cute he looks while playing with ponies. You know that Bronies can be jerks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIqeqsvpr_lsa5VJOGUp4QSKEofSXwvxEVhElABU_GVWKUcaQViOf2FN6tw5LnNeB90dur-45O2gZ8WHlpoWI9ZVozRqo10zYACD7_-dbfkwThYGcZHZYYdvvEFp9h8Xmv5Eh5ahtLitX/s1600/pony1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcIqeqsvpr_lsa5VJOGUp4QSKEofSXwvxEVhElABU_GVWKUcaQViOf2FN6tw5LnNeB90dur-45O2gZ8WHlpoWI9ZVozRqo10zYACD7_-dbfkwThYGcZHZYYdvvEFp9h8Xmv5Eh5ahtLitX/s640/pony1.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did I mention he cursed his brother and banished him to live in the basement for years?<br />
But now they're friends again, so I guess it's alright.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Headmaster Grimm is upset when Raven decides not to pursue her destiny. He intimidates her, makes up wild lies, blackmails her roommate to pressure her, and eventually makes a convoluted magical vision appear from a wishing well to show her how all her friends will be destroyed if she doesn't do what she's told.<br />
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Missing Headmistress Bloodgood yet?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHCDM4mVGJYWCe3EPtxMdlZJyIwmTH3PHIFltkPMXcpECOdC9pZpj6mqYN2xcHIF6MD-vQzFY5u7WldtI84pO7-OspZLdW22tJ24TSWeFoYPyX2vn0gjfEmj_WevxJK-vbwJzLCXoyhOS/s1600/IMG_0851.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHCDM4mVGJYWCe3EPtxMdlZJyIwmTH3PHIFltkPMXcpECOdC9pZpj6mqYN2xcHIF6MD-vQzFY5u7WldtI84pO7-OspZLdW22tJ24TSWeFoYPyX2vn0gjfEmj_WevxJK-vbwJzLCXoyhOS/s640/IMG_0851.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Maybe worse than the headmaster are the parents.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiH-sJSmJcLlHQSXmauKOwR1zs-BZShPS1VzA1Udf3cOqqh8-U0MTSp593M6s-pDgHObh3U4PWxFjIUL-5jDQjzO2-Y29e7VXv6miHlAVkJVqN3mGm_EPPk7wcR28ie4RjjhgHxHgF6ag/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-10+at+8.32.24+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiH-sJSmJcLlHQSXmauKOwR1zs-BZShPS1VzA1Udf3cOqqh8-U0MTSp593M6s-pDgHObh3U4PWxFjIUL-5jDQjzO2-Y29e7VXv6miHlAVkJVqN3mGm_EPPk7wcR28ie4RjjhgHxHgF6ag/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-05-10+at+8.32.24+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Apple's mom wants Apple to be the most popular of the them all</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rVr2yHQh3uZUJZEUEtkVFVEE4rqvtquIk3WytjDVtJuwYWnFCOHIRd22IOe6MPKbwirPcGVqLCTltZL9czST0jEpXjrsY0r19vu6rBlMokx6wlNr3fLbLCED7HxNheYE5LqtvRkTePW9/s1600/IMG_0814.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rVr2yHQh3uZUJZEUEtkVFVEE4rqvtquIk3WytjDVtJuwYWnFCOHIRd22IOe6MPKbwirPcGVqLCTltZL9czST0jEpXjrsY0r19vu6rBlMokx6wlNr3fLbLCED7HxNheYE5LqtvRkTePW9/s640/IMG_0814.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raven's mom wants to take over the world</td></tr>
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Both of the girls feel depressed every time they talk to their moms. Snow White tracks Apple's popularity on an app, and has the same weird fixation on Raven's life choices as Headmaster Grimm. The Evil Queen longs for Raven to join in her evilness... and yet, she also seems content with continuing her own reign of evil over the worlds. (She even ends up poisoning Apple herself.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VUE7UlSXwKDjDTa6YhG-GMIkogWz4WAcEmCKq2b8hZDlKl7WN28HeXPPZbgBhwhOfjMxuwDXThtKdnCpp-YaT4Q0cJKxguMUrI8Vb3a-o4nBfZBQZYHW9099Eg6FM0XLiMsmq9hvb2vf/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-10+at+8.48.02+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VUE7UlSXwKDjDTa6YhG-GMIkogWz4WAcEmCKq2b8hZDlKl7WN28HeXPPZbgBhwhOfjMxuwDXThtKdnCpp-YaT4Q0cJKxguMUrI8Vb3a-o4nBfZBQZYHW9099Eg6FM0XLiMsmq9hvb2vf/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-05-10+at+8.48.02+AM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More than teen angst.</td></tr>
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<h3>
3. Good characters</h3>
My favorite part of the series is the characterization. The students are divided into two cliques- "Royals" (obedient to authority) and "Rebels" (friends/supporters of Raven.) But, despite some conflict, the cliques are friends, and they overlap a lot. Madeline Hatter is happy to follow in the Mad Hatter's footsteps, but she's also Raven's best friend, and cheers for her when she decides to write her own destiny. Briar Beauty plans to sleep for 100 years... but she's sad that she'll lose all her friends, and is hesitant to sign up for her destiny.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYl71Rmweh9a_Qu6y693JQzuFPJx1P8qHfMsWwrL11MhJVvQHUntg6Tf6JjF9PB1uqpdce5fzYm9_aDKaWbAB6yA0AscN3PoBRwoaeS4H1HaJUqULj9_pKYymvGBu8It073Ariunasxxak/s1600/eah.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYl71Rmweh9a_Qu6y693JQzuFPJx1P8qHfMsWwrL11MhJVvQHUntg6Tf6JjF9PB1uqpdce5fzYm9_aDKaWbAB6yA0AscN3PoBRwoaeS4H1HaJUqULj9_pKYymvGBu8It073Ariunasxxak/s640/eah.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's like when two cliques spend all their time together?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Apple White, who deeply opposed Raven's choices, is not the villain of the story. She's kind and sweet, and loves Raven and wants good things for her. They become close friends. Apple's biggest flaw seems to be her vulnerability to deception.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioicJhMN-VB92f_Sr0b2HEZWta6iDb7QhdVBIGgk_cn3l5YDZwTzAOuic1SK-rIIxxaPDpG1Lo1tD7Ii8jGZgiGIs5cBvdDCv_EjS54lEHVZDhfKKPSpn7LlvuA4NIWasbOCxcWG190aCG/s1600/eah.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioicJhMN-VB92f_Sr0b2HEZWta6iDb7QhdVBIGgk_cn3l5YDZwTzAOuic1SK-rIIxxaPDpG1Lo1tD7Ii8jGZgiGIs5cBvdDCv_EjS54lEHVZDhfKKPSpn7LlvuA4NIWasbOCxcWG190aCG/s640/eah.26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple-logic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also enjoy the character of Darling Charming, who shows up late in the story to out-hero her two brothers. She hides her secret identity as the White Knight of Wonderland...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhlskBOwYNpIVp_li51F8hfKXQVJqRibOrS2L4NXIt_eN7nwJsfC712oKpRle2KCF-ShP7H1p1W3AY7zjI46wuGNPCSvTzNVbLC8bZ-9JPOG9IAPTyCoxgryjUYkxZuY2VHQYPgGKAnmo/s1600/eah.75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOhlskBOwYNpIVp_li51F8hfKXQVJqRibOrS2L4NXIt_eN7nwJsfC712oKpRle2KCF-ShP7H1p1W3AY7zjI46wuGNPCSvTzNVbLC8bZ-9JPOG9IAPTyCoxgryjUYkxZuY2VHQYPgGKAnmo/s640/eah.75.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gender flip! This costume looks hard to fight in, right?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
and she saves Apple White after she is poisoned. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1L8I0lzqzYVOEH0XaLr8jOx-m2VwYmtMVFHOdXxrJMWWyNBz-hhPa7mJOAdXt-jb7jUhGdH4lCuBBxM5HS5wVoSSZf-7ANuJL-JV4r9TTJM9_6rdGctyS20MfoH5YLNqx5eH4cgT5fzpG/s1600/IMG_0812.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1L8I0lzqzYVOEH0XaLr8jOx-m2VwYmtMVFHOdXxrJMWWyNBz-hhPa7mJOAdXt-jb7jUhGdH4lCuBBxM5HS5wVoSSZf-7ANuJL-JV4r9TTJM9_6rdGctyS20MfoH5YLNqx5eH4cgT5fzpG/s640/IMG_0812.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not a kiss, it's mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
4. Making good decisions</h3>
Without helpful guidance from the adults in their lives, the students take time, make mistakes, forgive each other, and try to figure out what's right.<br />
<br />
The most recent series, "Dragon Games" has a goofy, convoluted plot... and some wonderful messages. You won't believe how many times the characters affirm each other, and intentionally use the word "choice." It made my little feminist heart flutter.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT5BjowYIMG7smz7NiZ8XXJrv0YpuIGQu-l99nmV2rehCskR_rAtKg3XHjX9zDFFALb6Zw_nccbDRP_DJ-O710ZIEQJfHW5MHZAVJeIhnZuLHP-0Txwyrkb7GUZaBfGcPupcILkU0zo42/s1600/IMG_0806.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT5BjowYIMG7smz7NiZ8XXJrv0YpuIGQu-l99nmV2rehCskR_rAtKg3XHjX9zDFFALb6Zw_nccbDRP_DJ-O710ZIEQJfHW5MHZAVJeIhnZuLHP-0Txwyrkb7GUZaBfGcPupcILkU0zo42/s640/IMG_0806.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another weird family fate- the older twin has to live out Rapunzel's destiny, <br />
but the younger twin can do whatever she wants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Love is a big topic in the decision-making issues. The students secretly celebrate "True Hearts Day," where they have an opportunity to share a heart-fruit with a person they care about. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbG9Sum85WGwels6phHl5Nk7Hh-9PZS6cHBQ5Lra9k04Txh8ljk0MARM6LTiButf1_tiftJ0X_MSYfYDnpL1sDq-9nzCBcqvs3PZo3rmG3fYMat0F-TUswFxzm2NQ0D1UDF1WWSC8qmyP/s1600/IMG_0612.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwbG9Sum85WGwels6phHl5Nk7Hh-9PZS6cHBQ5Lra9k04Txh8ljk0MARM6LTiButf1_tiftJ0X_MSYfYDnpL1sDq-9nzCBcqvs3PZo3rmG3fYMat0F-TUswFxzm2NQ0D1UDF1WWSC8qmyP/s640/IMG_0612.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A page from the true heart's book- Wait, what? This is a story I want to hear.</td></tr>
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Apple gives her heart to Ashlynn, finally showing approval for Ashlynn's romantic relationship with Hunter (even though she thinks it's unwise). She tells Ashlynn that she will always love her best friend.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnygT-4L56CdXvsihMq8-uahK01PhXH9aotTUUKyASJCJDL4b0OTuWHv325oK61en6ehZ1jM_8WntNRSA7rp3G6oMZq7_YSiu2GyeTktLyagRMhiE1cP6O5ph8M_W9-9YsX5vq6cqUACXn/s1600/eah.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnygT-4L56CdXvsihMq8-uahK01PhXH9aotTUUKyASJCJDL4b0OTuWHv325oK61en6ehZ1jM_8WntNRSA7rp3G6oMZq7_YSiu2GyeTktLyagRMhiE1cP6O5ph8M_W9-9YsX5vq6cqUACXn/s640/eah.42.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many times Apple refrains from showing affection for boys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Love is a weird topic since there has been a secret relationship going on much longer- the original Rebel, Little Red Riding Hood.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPM2fnOSMiH-opcWI1HfD8qxMWs-0R4uLyASNOi-O8HtQwWwH3NQSny0ngcaG-Ai-IcK8RPCRXtL8j_uBo7fDP7rQGqxNvdLiHhHORL9gDpBlrBQSy5OBqGNUJzcBe5HleaOryjkd4y1Q_/s1600/eah.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPM2fnOSMiH-opcWI1HfD8qxMWs-0R4uLyASNOi-O8HtQwWwH3NQSny0ngcaG-Ai-IcK8RPCRXtL8j_uBo7fDP7rQGqxNvdLiHhHORL9gDpBlrBQSy5OBqGNUJzcBe5HleaOryjkd4y1Q_/s640/eah.24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marrying the Big Bad wolf isn't so weird, since he's human half the time.</td></tr>
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I'm not sure why no one has noticed or explained this yet, but it certainly shows that Headmaster Grimm's worries about the world falling apart aren't valid. </div>
<br />
I think the series is doing a better job of bucking traditions and promoting tolerance than what we see at Monster High. Headmaster Grimm represents many stodgy politicians and authority figures in our real world, right down to the fact that he isn't as powerful as he appears, and he is only motivated by fear. Every time the students oppose him, I feel victorious.<br />
<br />
I'm excited to see where these stories go next. How do you like Ever After High?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp-8NGCqSAmSbXGASHpYeqVPfrAdeblQ2fmhAbcJVYpOhtuqMsRhLHJnqJJqw4lzny9Qg3n7M6Vy3CAEmiw1Is0deRpEQEKRtsPTK2S8OiT6GUj7mCezslB8bDVi1O3yc_dqhIUfuOtd8/s1600/DSC_0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNp-8NGCqSAmSbXGASHpYeqVPfrAdeblQ2fmhAbcJVYpOhtuqMsRhLHJnqJJqw4lzny9Qg3n7M6Vy3CAEmiw1Is0deRpEQEKRtsPTK2S8OiT6GUj7mCezslB8bDVi1O3yc_dqhIUfuOtd8/s640/DSC_0069.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 33px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 10583px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 33px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 10583px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-20754624751140885792016-04-14T10:25:00.000-07:002020-02-18T14:51:42.182-08:00Monster High Dolls and Cartoons<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">When I started collecting dolls, I felt hesitant about the Monster High line. I don't love inhuman skin tones or oversized heads, and short skirts aren't my thing (although I firmly believe people should wear what they want without being slut-shamed.) Also, they are super fancy and wear lots of make-up, and I'm kind of a plain girl.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But, they are well articulated, and some looked interesting.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">But I could buy just one... right?</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkoFf3LOdH0q_RaDVlS9YnyUGwm3P8whz6P2FenXoYklK5jR8ooI1MvIiETBnLFGhri60xfLNq9FNjbHaL5NeoSB8OyBw37aHeA_6HXssrb_MBAd28hqIyJip7L6OvkjUe3TFix_cNoEW/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkoFf3LOdH0q_RaDVlS9YnyUGwm3P8whz6P2FenXoYklK5jR8ooI1MvIiETBnLFGhri60xfLNq9FNjbHaL5NeoSB8OyBw37aHeA_6HXssrb_MBAd28hqIyJip7L6OvkjUe3TFix_cNoEW/s640/DSC_0041.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My Monster High gang</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Cleo deNile was my first Monster High doll. I was drawn to her because she doesn't look like a monster. She's the "daughter of the mummy" but looks like an Egyptian girl who is still alive. She's gorgeous. I couldn't stop looking at her and photographing her.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Next, I was a bit more daring- Robecca is a robot with adorable steam-punk fashion sense. But honestly, when I got her in the mail, I was disappointed. Her face is a little too much like Cleo's to be unique, and her unique aspects seemed over-rated. I may modify her someday to capture my steam-punk dreams better, but for now, she has languished, and I doubted I would buy more. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Still, I had been trying to find a Clawdeen I liked, but didn't care for her color scheme. Her sister, Clawdia, stole my heart with her wonderful smile. Then I found a Skelita, who rivals my first love for Cleo. She is beautiful <i>and</i> anatomically clever!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times";"><br /></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdtuXoJIfFsiI_DFl5yXYS_UZA5F5dI_tK3N4_0ReuJmdjfoEgNfJzswmcZkqkcEMXQIEWou8VxLRlkbxMeKVs_z6bOHt-dJifXdEq-InW62oDV1c4bptVpRynoFBvA7ils8CnHM_rFdD/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdtuXoJIfFsiI_DFl5yXYS_UZA5F5dI_tK3N4_0ReuJmdjfoEgNfJzswmcZkqkcEMXQIEWou8VxLRlkbxMeKVs_z6bOHt-dJifXdEq-InW62oDV1c4bptVpRynoFBvA7ils8CnHM_rFdD/s640/DSC_0012.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm so happy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times";">So, basically, I love Monster High. The line's creativity and cleverness can't be beat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times";">I love children's literature (and occasionally movies), so I gave the cartoon a try too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times";">[Content note: long blog post, social justice, references to rape metaphors and racism.]</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times";"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times";">In the movies, Monster High School is almost the perfect place to attend when you're struggling through hormones, homework, and break-ups. The brand says- "Be yourself. Be unique. Be a monster." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times";">However, the characters of the school and playline only exemplify <i>certain kinds </i>of diversity. It's great to be a minotaur or a zombie. As long as you are traditionally attractive, thin, straight, and able-bodied*, Monster High is a wonderful school. Yet, doesn't that leave out a ton of marginalized people?</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrWSNko1ew6VlLuk4ofKBLbgRYf9RwNd2m5dheOxnJFrQEyl3d3tVGOEQNvL6lVwZlzDWnEVchRn1zW4kWWj89scUdK3hzOcWJ09c-JFOZO4jVUcDDJ1qbXqIWOmzYo42WvxhBgnMa3ef/s1600/IMG_0842.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrWSNko1ew6VlLuk4ofKBLbgRYf9RwNd2m5dheOxnJFrQEyl3d3tVGOEQNvL6lVwZlzDWnEVchRn1zW4kWWj89scUdK3hzOcWJ09c-JFOZO4jVUcDDJ1qbXqIWOmzYo42WvxhBgnMa3ef/s400/IMG_0842.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This scene was played for a laugh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
*Monster High now has a student in a wheelchair. Yay!<br />
<div>
<h3>
What does it mean to be unique?</h3>
<div>
I wish the characters could be more unique in other ways than simply being monsters. The female characters all love fashion, shopping, cheerleading... all stereotypically "girl" stuff. (None of that is wrong or bad, but it is boring and pro-status quo when they are all the same.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogdakUauxUj7R0hL6ZdwJ6f72uO9sQqWhksxZpkWPKWJ6v8qGWlKeQClJCpWLTwDes0NbRrlnTIY0wHwreXBl4k4lNsUubonfabnfjrH5qaihJ482H7sW90S8FHKsjtEi-DIGJ_r04XxZ/s1600/IMG_0823.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogdakUauxUj7R0hL6ZdwJ6f72uO9sQqWhksxZpkWPKWJ6v8qGWlKeQClJCpWLTwDes0NbRrlnTIY0wHwreXBl4k4lNsUubonfabnfjrH5qaihJ482H7sW90S8FHKsjtEi-DIGJ_r04XxZ/s640/IMG_0823.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I need every pair of shoes I own for a week in Paris!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And they don't seem to value their classroom time much.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieg-MvRuA3bdYhM9o3KKLdU8Q7J33Qn3rmgNuGT9aAphs7r3hE75kmmeaqsDWHtpCHsSaXfypyd14FB2Xidc8HDo-4qQlzDmCxodSVE_ub6hHa7t2DgUwsC89Va_NrHtZZn0kzOYtMWGt6/s1600/IMG_0869.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieg-MvRuA3bdYhM9o3KKLdU8Q7J33Qn3rmgNuGT9aAphs7r3hE75kmmeaqsDWHtpCHsSaXfypyd14FB2Xidc8HDo-4qQlzDmCxodSVE_ub6hHa7t2DgUwsC89Va_NrHtZZn0kzOYtMWGt6/s640/IMG_0869.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ghoulia is the notable exception. She's the smartest ghoul in school, and her problem solving abilities help in many of the movies. However... it's super disappointing that the one smart female character literally doesn't have her own voice. (Zombies communicate in moans.)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnliwvb-ZBQYgG9hz_e61K-0goHups0jQvIuuW3lvHPG1kiU-sLBZUL9ohdl7ImZ0JSOeZynVEq7jXcRYVqjbOHhiq_sBGxxDRvkZMfawP2TbftGaGv02avTz6WDIunmXvdoMKsQ3aA9PQ/s1600/IMG_0910.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnliwvb-ZBQYgG9hz_e61K-0goHups0jQvIuuW3lvHPG1kiU-sLBZUL9ohdl7ImZ0JSOeZynVEq7jXcRYVqjbOHhiq_sBGxxDRvkZMfawP2TbftGaGv02avTz6WDIunmXvdoMKsQ3aA9PQ/s640/IMG_0910.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">science people think in formulas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Operetta is quite funny too, and her teenage non-conformist rebellion rings true to the high school experience of many.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExszQKP1YKf-zeXzK7IxuzIDY0BnfnEepoNzA1w9b2CJdCWGoSd_-YS0mopp5Ms6YkO2ur-tLI8_NxRLB8wy2RT6AclnwLD5X_cXvOTXXMRJQuPlDYc6OEJDMpnfTbC-A1gD9BT3aZBWZ/s1600/IMG_0915.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExszQKP1YKf-zeXzK7IxuzIDY0BnfnEepoNzA1w9b2CJdCWGoSd_-YS0mopp5Ms6YkO2ur-tLI8_NxRLB8wy2RT6AclnwLD5X_cXvOTXXMRJQuPlDYc6OEJDMpnfTbC-A1gD9BT3aZBWZ/s640/IMG_0915.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Operetta is not a team player.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
But I think the writers could take it much farther. What really makes these teens unique?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
An obvious void is a movie about body image. The subject is lightly covered in "Escape From Skull Shores" with a male character. However, he isn't actually unattractive, he's merely a monster living with humans. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghovHhkXlEhXZhO8_q1pZKYQPZ8GimuPwl6pO2w7KRQ_BBGwZXPJXEI1kMalmYvPhhDxa8b666aYlaQ3nEwZfAcVYODJQw01DFXQg1GG6Zb_BR9tQBs_8CiPttDdLan1G4y_q9aMw-85X_/s1600/IMG_0959.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghovHhkXlEhXZhO8_q1pZKYQPZ8GimuPwl6pO2w7KRQ_BBGwZXPJXEI1kMalmYvPhhDxa8b666aYlaQ3nEwZfAcVYODJQw01DFXQg1GG6Zb_BR9tQBs_8CiPttDdLan1G4y_q9aMw-85X_/s640/IMG_0959.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He is a fat character, so hooray for that, but we never see him again and he doesn't get a lot of lines other than making this one point. I'd give them high points if they made him the romantic interest instead of the purple muscled guy with the anger problem.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXb4Yw3S6YESlPMrta1r_9egyXKf9ThM5DuV6UvAEQnGGTRrI56lsgrlCl5L8I1I4s7Z3jbsKv_vg5cCzJpFO7101-sh3IWTVc7YkQcEFnioyqcdB3M4CN_kzOcEOUvEttVsSq1Oxan_CE/s1600/IMG_0960.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXb4Yw3S6YESlPMrta1r_9egyXKf9ThM5DuV6UvAEQnGGTRrI56lsgrlCl5L8I1I4s7Z3jbsKv_vg5cCzJpFO7101-sh3IWTVc7YkQcEFnioyqcdB3M4CN_kzOcEOUvEttVsSq1Oxan_CE/s640/IMG_0960.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For me, the most unique part of the series is the <a href="http://monsterhigh.wikia.com/wiki/Monster_High_lexicon">puns</a> and the jokes. I can put up with lame accents if the words are gold.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0hwbAFlxJfDZFwLY-evXz_HAr2dE6icRTL9s0YZNzqIn4EjsRz2XT5uLGP7UoNE9_T91XeBzFESAKOVennFDup0l4JsKpl6p8W2875COUjug4Kq5_3j2UlEiSVmOqXevyA8OmMJ8NWLr/s1600/IMG_0907.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0hwbAFlxJfDZFwLY-evXz_HAr2dE6icRTL9s0YZNzqIn4EjsRz2XT5uLGP7UoNE9_T91XeBzFESAKOVennFDup0l4JsKpl6p8W2875COUjug4Kq5_3j2UlEiSVmOqXevyA8OmMJ8NWLr/s640/IMG_0907.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nuGsfw6yHjBFTRg60bIJdXHWs9ro3OP5fSiSUGFbCmetf7R1vvL1qwMBM7L_yJAcW4L5CKgE3E3PlLwUOX0ojN1Qmv3eXA23tg3J-MRjXXmBMJTZsrCiWiDTjA-IrdyGmfqyPuMWDOFI/s1600/IMG_0908.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6nuGsfw6yHjBFTRg60bIJdXHWs9ro3OP5fSiSUGFbCmetf7R1vvL1qwMBM7L_yJAcW4L5CKgE3E3PlLwUOX0ojN1Qmv3eXA23tg3J-MRjXXmBMJTZsrCiWiDTjA-IrdyGmfqyPuMWDOFI/s640/IMG_0908.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
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<h3>
Monster High and Sexism</h3>
</div>
<div>
<div>
"Friday Night Frights" takes on old-school sexism. The beginning is a bit tedious, with everyone telling the girls over and over how girls can't play a rollar-skating obstacle course sport called "Scream."</div>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41Lvt_4Qsqa0Etf4Gog22fnvkjC3WveUcTVwOuwog0uADLvc0zLxjZDQObH3guGt7runtnbmbLxuJye0CDdYCT91EAbZIWVH2wBnW3nSO-_vqlz4X2JJoFGJ22tPr0Wh-UN8lW-uKZ1rV/s1600/IMG_0912.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41Lvt_4Qsqa0Etf4Gog22fnvkjC3WveUcTVwOuwog0uADLvc0zLxjZDQObH3guGt7runtnbmbLxuJye0CDdYCT91EAbZIWVH2wBnW3nSO-_vqlz4X2JJoFGJ22tPr0Wh-UN8lW-uKZ1rV/s640/IMG_0912.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZma7C3lxz7yLnwUs-VpTUrYBLwv8OYsAOW_lyg7jtrIMX4jquu-92amro8OE1PDm-4yspzCyIk7pxGs6vdfvgT6pDw9bHMKU8Ffyw0vtfr3YhVQdHuRS7-kFK8YfVTqWlJ-RUjpybp-pT/s1600/IMG_0914.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZma7C3lxz7yLnwUs-VpTUrYBLwv8OYsAOW_lyg7jtrIMX4jquu-92amro8OE1PDm-4yspzCyIk7pxGs6vdfvgT6pDw9bHMKU8Ffyw0vtfr3YhVQdHuRS7-kFK8YfVTqWlJ-RUjpybp-pT/s640/IMG_0914.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(To be fair, it is a ridiculously dangerous sport that no school should allow.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The plot line is predictably predictable... the girls learn how to play, win the championship, and save the school. How they do it is a little weird.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpv4Ra0u6aLcVx2ORldkbswXnZjywPpJtQjvSugYBYk1zTe0PSiCCvSWN4Po1FdMj5kjdC4cYXwzLgaaMbhV2eBl7O4Q2Z9lJPO0Zxxz0hlWvkkgJIJ-0h76iMwmqF_VH29aOujHcI7te/s1600/IMG_0919.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpv4Ra0u6aLcVx2ORldkbswXnZjywPpJtQjvSugYBYk1zTe0PSiCCvSWN4Po1FdMj5kjdC4cYXwzLgaaMbhV2eBl7O4Q2Z9lJPO0Zxxz0hlWvkkgJIJ-0h76iMwmqF_VH29aOujHcI7te/s640/IMG_0919.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where the "like a girl" campaign came from?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm7CP6bKhdXK4O3791MVeAyGZgeyBPL09EUt3RnYF0os5V5BA3z08Lqk1fFHwgFz2QeQNl1SiU6LUtxehLZabraQKJyw2rqseeX8OUGEOA8XAx3QlMNCKj_kQnOtF8nlBx2BwlM5NKgmB/s1600/IMG_0920.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm7CP6bKhdXK4O3791MVeAyGZgeyBPL09EUt3RnYF0os5V5BA3z08Lqk1fFHwgFz2QeQNl1SiU6LUtxehLZabraQKJyw2rqseeX8OUGEOA8XAx3QlMNCKj_kQnOtF8nlBx2BwlM5NKgmB/s640/IMG_0920.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Playing like a girl turns out to mean dressing up and wearing makeup to give yourself more confidence. I guess that helps. It doesn't do much to overcome real gender stereotypes though. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NzQiLHTeYYP8SSTIoQd10ZS9QqFVy1uc0xlSgECtK4WxmoU6VH65IKna1nggsLdRXX9A4DU_xdRjAWosof7PtpXBnJedqHpd5BVrX8FPw4GCTqdSE1ohxSfXZn21-dq-LusywgMb7c35/s1600/IMG_0923.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NzQiLHTeYYP8SSTIoQd10ZS9QqFVy1uc0xlSgECtK4WxmoU6VH65IKna1nggsLdRXX9A4DU_xdRjAWosof7PtpXBnJedqHpd5BVrX8FPw4GCTqdSE1ohxSfXZn21-dq-LusywgMb7c35/s640/IMG_0923.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best moment in the movie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Again, it's a kid's cartoon, and they tried. But I expect more.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid82FIfGiOB-wXd2p0twtUxYd-YX2Gc0TprFjcqpUSPbX0B4um-TpOAhgIbG0nESdMT2TW5XvvyrWPsOGn4b-jn-NpmuUVb9OdtDqvG9X7MwaBpvlhuEY5egYAHpNrmBO1hXuKjujYRJvA/s1600/IMG_0882.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid82FIfGiOB-wXd2p0twtUxYd-YX2Gc0TprFjcqpUSPbX0B4um-TpOAhgIbG0nESdMT2TW5XvvyrWPsOGn4b-jn-NpmuUVb9OdtDqvG9X7MwaBpvlhuEY5egYAHpNrmBO1hXuKjujYRJvA/s640/IMG_0882.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lagoona calls out fragile masculinity and toxic masculinity... but doesn't do anything about it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With both racism and sexism, I feel like the characters are dealing with old stereotypical problems, and not addressing the contemporary issues.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4NXlxk_l-McK84BnBf8gxXQOl5BiqF_r2JtV8VD16V0llNFgCKX1G9sMXVX2HPF5eAWvL0ylQa9xE-5iT77MPRORRiFMUOeT0F0vIYZSJEaryjVmDTHQJPyQ0ZAQxNjfcdhw_EJIK-P7/s1600/IMG_0924.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX4NXlxk_l-McK84BnBf8gxXQOl5BiqF_r2JtV8VD16V0llNFgCKX1G9sMXVX2HPF5eAWvL0ylQa9xE-5iT77MPRORRiFMUOeT0F0vIYZSJEaryjVmDTHQJPyQ0ZAQxNjfcdhw_EJIK-P7/s640/IMG_0924.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best moral of the movie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Other movies have some good moments about sexism. You can count on Abbey for blunt and basic advice.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHX-9VjlRzxyZOvXQQqIZ1TI7X4kiPcCV2fPYEUpaOTKR1XWg6lZINmsau6QDRCqhyphenhyphentcWfPBZCbqh06U3f8l59c-tHJnLlvqQXefoiV6gBVC_5gdxo7wvPGT0g39L_d50UKqZO74Z-BYz7/s1600/IMG_0848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHX-9VjlRzxyZOvXQQqIZ1TI7X4kiPcCV2fPYEUpaOTKR1XWg6lZINmsau6QDRCqhyphenhyphentcWfPBZCbqh06U3f8l59c-tHJnLlvqQXefoiV6gBVC_5gdxo7wvPGT0g39L_d50UKqZO74Z-BYz7/s640/IMG_0848.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abbey crashed Cupid's radio show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaCqilh4tKFkSDxK8oIpooUyhx3NRixry835xGnSNNG5u9S5aOlfIb-9YD06W6PX7Xq5N7sssoVAT93T3mOFUQcdiDUXgBkjbcnanIF4i68GvaIp-BdJ1colEDeI62Ct79Bkc2gEObslm/s1600/IMG_0850.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaCqilh4tKFkSDxK8oIpooUyhx3NRixry835xGnSNNG5u9S5aOlfIb-9YD06W6PX7Xq5N7sssoVAT93T3mOFUQcdiDUXgBkjbcnanIF4i68GvaIp-BdJ1colEDeI62Ct79Bkc2gEObslm/s640/IMG_0850.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honest love advice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In another episode, Abbey is annoyed when her friend starts changing her hair and make-up for student elections. "I'm running for president, not prom queen!" she says. <span style="text-align: center;">Abbey also subverts gender roles by frequently saving her clumsy and flammable boyfriend, Heath.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinok7X97bJX2RlXjJAr8G4tA0Tk_emdgcFc5XKf6t7TBmpB6yf3GoiCMnSO6z4cBjDrcq98KTpuvf8UlDYwdEw__UWG7arbOn_pgr0rk4MeYgyXAx44AyG5qs27JfwyBX8ACS0as6XZ8ho/s1600/IMG_0874.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinok7X97bJX2RlXjJAr8G4tA0Tk_emdgcFc5XKf6t7TBmpB6yf3GoiCMnSO6z4cBjDrcq98KTpuvf8UlDYwdEw__UWG7arbOn_pgr0rk4MeYgyXAx44AyG5qs27JfwyBX8ACS0as6XZ8ho/s640/IMG_0874.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I also thought there was a good lesson in a sad break-up scene between Cleo and Deuce. (Cleo's family are always trying to end her relationship.) Deuce asks clarifying questions. Are you breaking up with me? Is this really what you want?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYZhsVOIJBnC7LvVRuHbQliDFIweI-a7zMU9r_8M2qshP_93ifQ66r8VJMcT-L0f9XLPAZqK9MWQBwP2QlFxT1TQN_ENPgHDKd2haDiXIpijn0wO7bDldQTACvpG8lhbKb190bvpY5rl1/s1600/IMG_0890.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYZhsVOIJBnC7LvVRuHbQliDFIweI-a7zMU9r_8M2qshP_93ifQ66r8VJMcT-L0f9XLPAZqK9MWQBwP2QlFxT1TQN_ENPgHDKd2haDiXIpijn0wO7bDldQTACvpG8lhbKb190bvpY5rl1/s640/IMG_0890.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's nice to ask, even if you know the answer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Deuce lets her end the relationship, rather than forcing her, or telling her what she really wants. When is the last time you saw that in a romantic movie? His feelings are hurt, but she has to make her own decisions.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90_Y5q9b27chQX4bSONdyIvjAVggaXMgRM1RBK90zI_sEtqc-PTVod9N4oOtnjGH82NQD7eUyvm5L9nykwUzZRTgDBar5sRJWfGLSWKU2dUN2N3nnNJu2iDvX1Ryn8T3YJcQtRJleDEU1/s1600/IMG_0892.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90_Y5q9b27chQX4bSONdyIvjAVggaXMgRM1RBK90zI_sEtqc-PTVod9N4oOtnjGH82NQD7eUyvm5L9nykwUzZRTgDBar5sRJWfGLSWKU2dUN2N3nnNJu2iDvX1Ryn8T3YJcQtRJleDEU1/s640/IMG_0892.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div>
Romantic and sexual consent is handled in a fascinating way in the movie, "Why do Ghouls Fall in Love?" Maybe I'm reading too much into this... but I'm not. Valentine, the vampire ex-boyfriend of Draculaura, comes to Monster High to finish what he started long ago, taking Draculaura's <strike>virginity</strike> heart.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tkVelVZ1B2jIXC4PnaKAK7Q2crTvrSwenVhjK-l1LnQ6pood5x06BBzNQjmw40gjCQ0L02psQYQEKD2spWjcXnl57KwNKELYbcU9m_dGl3wBB9RoC8wCSnSx2pl7uhaS1n_uFFBO3w5q/s1600/IMG_0836.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tkVelVZ1B2jIXC4PnaKAK7Q2crTvrSwenVhjK-l1LnQ6pood5x06BBzNQjmw40gjCQ0L02psQYQEKD2spWjcXnl57KwNKELYbcU9m_dGl3wBB9RoC8wCSnSx2pl7uhaS1n_uFFBO3w5q/s640/IMG_0836.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't be the only one who finds this extremely creepy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Draculaura is initially charmed by the deceptive Valentine, but ultimately is loyal to her boyfriend Clawd. Valentine is furious and pouty to be denied something he wants. He decides to <strike>date-rape</strike> magically enchant her.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB9iKTUwMwCE-ZKFNZwkANGdnHPfZRjK1KkBkCt0Yo2dYwrLih7abgXoj-wLV1tuA-msswPauZAVjd1hySHIMQgtChyphenhyphenzJg0kXobsxCaRCfogyceW3ijQoUalcEPU-Inw24k5cizApfJM_/s1600/IMG_0830.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB9iKTUwMwCE-ZKFNZwkANGdnHPfZRjK1KkBkCt0Yo2dYwrLih7abgXoj-wLV1tuA-msswPauZAVjd1hySHIMQgtChyphenhyphenzJg0kXobsxCaRCfogyceW3ijQoUalcEPU-Inw24k5cizApfJM_/s640/IMG_0830.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Because having sex with a girl means you own her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fortunately, Draculaura's friends realize she is acting strange, save the day, and Valentine is cursed with eternal stink. (I would have recommended prison, but stink is something.) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Clawd and Draculaura resume their relationship happily. I appreciate how Clawd doesn't blame Draculaura for Valentine's actions.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77NNTlvv7_ThXePIS_VyqGOYrKV4kP0CDAw-kG_iUA1CUPMNxT6NxYHhTIEcivvK-hMQjRtvEugJPkp8NFEWuHokkuPxK2tuBlvZD99ug7pHziIei3fnyqmPKynd0RsxOWpt88PbkG8uz/s1600/IMG_0847.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77NNTlvv7_ThXePIS_VyqGOYrKV4kP0CDAw-kG_iUA1CUPMNxT6NxYHhTIEcivvK-hMQjRtvEugJPkp8NFEWuHokkuPxK2tuBlvZD99ug7pHziIei3fnyqmPKynd0RsxOWpt88PbkG8uz/s640/IMG_0847.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She wasn't asking for it. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Draculaura still needs to learn about consent herself. In "Ghouls Rule," she spends the whole movie annoyingly pressuring her best friend, Clawdeen, to date boys. She won't take no for an answer. She apologizes in the final scene, but the message is undercut by Clawdeen deciding to finally go on a date after all. I wish that story had ended with Clawdeen saying she still isn't ready, or may never be interested, and that's <i>okay</i>. Be yourself.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodgIpd5Cd8LFQeujQ0auL0nmXtGQwJrGY6Kzrd3As2KdvoDqpUZUHtZGcbEqE_UC2GoMgBymcp8FjZxie53wsGlsG30o2hzaHc74YBqGLp4FuCJory7cLe_W_Ms2B6LuvJmXrwt6gcHYr/s1600/IMG_0904.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodgIpd5Cd8LFQeujQ0auL0nmXtGQwJrGY6Kzrd3As2KdvoDqpUZUHtZGcbEqE_UC2GoMgBymcp8FjZxie53wsGlsG30o2hzaHc74YBqGLp4FuCJory7cLe_W_Ms2B6LuvJmXrwt6gcHYr/s640/IMG_0904.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushing less hard would have been okay?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<h3>
Monster High and Racism</h3>
<div>
I love the diverse skin-tones and ethnicities of the various Monster High characters. They've made some mistakes (see, <a href="https://dollsofcolourheckyes.tumblr.com/post/132223082554/ive-been-concerned-about-this-doll-since-i-saw">Isi Dawndancer</a>) but have overall made a good effort. I especially like the Wolf family. Except for their entire storyline in the "Fright On" movie. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTDQbmNh8EhI37W3d2G5DJGgdRp3wxXU88SiXjeND1jXyxXL9fMNH7XbmpOdmoCIC4dR19-psDA5zUsaVnNYOXgcy7tkPAl6e7XmOri9B6eR_58783nZoec0ujjoFPcXqPopcwW3GV3Z0/s1600/IMG_0851.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTDQbmNh8EhI37W3d2G5DJGgdRp3wxXU88SiXjeND1jXyxXL9fMNH7XbmpOdmoCIC4dR19-psDA5zUsaVnNYOXgcy7tkPAl6e7XmOri9B6eR_58783nZoec0ujjoFPcXqPopcwW3GV3Z0/s640/IMG_0851.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Did I mention how much better the original animation is compared to the computer animation?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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In this story, Monster High incorporates two other high schools, one that was exclusively for werewolves, and one that was for vampires. Although there is some tension in the beginning, the MH students are kind and welcoming, and everyone begins to develop friendships. Then, the adults begin to meddle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTphwJUpNYzT5Kvn3PjxB7EnZ8-xU6kGYgwRk2H9fGaUu5213ZID5udMj_-Nr2N63Mz-cPBQDVI8jmRI2_vTkmvqkk_6LtdO20WKI2R1EWzzcXz_8d_CIMdn1G2mnzJYM8JM4lFqX7UAL/s1600/IMG_0853.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTphwJUpNYzT5Kvn3PjxB7EnZ8-xU6kGYgwRk2H9fGaUu5213ZID5udMj_-Nr2N63Mz-cPBQDVI8jmRI2_vTkmvqkk_6LtdO20WKI2R1EWzzcXz_8d_CIMdn1G2mnzJYM8JM4lFqX7UAL/s640/IMG_0853.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Howleen Wolf had such amazing hair in the beginning. Miss it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Certain school administrators and advisors don't like monster unity, and encourage the students to be divisive. This mimics a few Civil Rights era prejudices, like segregation, and claims that werewolves and dirty and diseased. (The obvious code for this story is vampire = white, werewolf = black.)<br />
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However, the villains also use two strategies which <i>are</i> good for teens. It feels like this episode is trying to promote <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/culturally-speaking/201112/colorblind-ideology-is-form-racism">colorblindness</a>, which is one of the worst strategies for compassionate understanding. It certainly doesn't seem to fit with MH's motto of appreciating everyone's uniqueness.</div>
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<div>
First, their history class teaches about the years of oppression that vampires inflicted on werewolves. Certainly this shouldn't be the only thing taught in history class... but, um, are you saying it's better to leave it out entirely? Pretend like it didn't happen? Pretend like it's over?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfTmmtGckiNcr7KjkI51F6wAfrw9lrZPF6YURFHYd9CtS1D0vdWMYJSk12E9vByS5H9rWO7hHkyKF8PTG8ROkB6MDzlnK6b-Nwa8nFxOyfNWZq93XxrUqUY5mlDfdfdXQmoUsRQ8IdIDW/s1600/IMG_0858.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfTmmtGckiNcr7KjkI51F6wAfrw9lrZPF6YURFHYd9CtS1D0vdWMYJSk12E9vByS5H9rWO7hHkyKF8PTG8ROkB6MDzlnK6b-Nwa8nFxOyfNWZq93XxrUqUY5mlDfdfdXQmoUsRQ8IdIDW/s640/IMG_0858.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Just liked how forgetting about Emmett Till was so helpful for Tamir Rice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The administrator also encouraged the students to form "cultural clubs." This can be done well, or it can be done poorly. Now I have to explain why a white power club isn't the same as a black pride club.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK4D981wSmqaLN_WjeYZjXPNnRh5IgBaf8tMec7pfIfM2DxkmS2sC-cjwprx8Q63K6vVupJrLHS50AVR35a0AgGYtpytrnBy7Z3wajs1h5MJzqRH243uC4LawtUBN53QFCQ-azxoouUkF/s1600/IMG_0864.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK4D981wSmqaLN_WjeYZjXPNnRh5IgBaf8tMec7pfIfM2DxkmS2sC-cjwprx8Q63K6vVupJrLHS50AVR35a0AgGYtpytrnBy7Z3wajs1h5MJzqRH243uC4LawtUBN53QFCQ-azxoouUkF/s640/IMG_0864.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I was a kid, I was taught that the solution to racism was to be "colorblind." Pretend that everyone is the same and not notice differences. That sounded good at the time, but it's actually counterproductive. It's better to be aware of differences, learn about them respectfully, celebrate the good stuff and mourn together about the bad stuff.</div>
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Let's imagine a couple different student cultural clubs. </div>
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A white girl who has Polish ancestry starts a Polish Heritage Club. Her family chose to give up most of their traditions, language, food, etc., a few generations ago. She has the privilege to have fun researching family history, trying new foods, learning some new words. Maybe her family has kept some traditions, and she can find other students who have too.</div>
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A black student starts a Black Student Union. She probably doesn't have access to her family history in Africa. Their history was stolen from them. Their families were split up, their traditions were forbidden, and what was lost can not be recovered. Standing up to be proud in her identity is a subversive act, telling oppressors, "You can't take my pride from me."</div>
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A Latino student spends his time with other Latinos. He is actively being told, right now in history, that he needs to move on from his language and culture and assimilate. His club is an act of defiance, and an attempt to save his culture. (similar story with American Indians)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVQAv0wHPmhNxvrQnQhGm8pn0UblYPLA6VrCAaZBu6ZmOA2tIPFZWfFlcZYxTuUp4Lm7j1HLSLVMy0WuBgCWxaeQbJO2kor4zapeCu-hhpcvnfaFcQyp56yeZYZgUlR_r56ajxzvKpJbu/s1600/759510c4a9c1d173d34e96985e7b62a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEVQAv0wHPmhNxvrQnQhGm8pn0UblYPLA6VrCAaZBu6ZmOA2tIPFZWfFlcZYxTuUp4Lm7j1HLSLVMy0WuBgCWxaeQbJO2kor4zapeCu-hhpcvnfaFcQyp56yeZYZgUlR_r56ajxzvKpJbu/s1600/759510c4a9c1d173d34e96985e7b62a1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">obvious Star Trek Reference</td></tr>
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A white student starts a White Student Union. ... I literally can't imagine what this club would do, since they are probably already hanging out with white people all day long. A white club is pointless. As a white person, I can assure you that our heritage and history is already celebrated all day every day just by being the dominant group in the US. A white club could only exist to spread fear about loosing this privileged position. </div>
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When a minority group forms a club, it isn't about saying how they are the best and everyone else is bad. The mere fact of being a minority creates a desire to bond together and not let your culture be lost. Whereas white pride wants everyone to assimilate into the majority. I realize some of these ideas are complex for a kid's cartoon to deal with, but it troubles me that the writers chose two things that could be used for good and taught us they were wrong. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFjIZ6h7UWnNTx2Z3m-T42mamBpSgzk-UntcGbydvB9EWpeVgxjTDJnvxNSiPn8PLwL76Jy-b-OrTBkGjikPAzTY17jlYR1NFHmPDccsPAmrKMFrHHTwWjQMAQCdniV9f5RrbKCMU-7n7/s1600/IMG_0867.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFjIZ6h7UWnNTx2Z3m-T42mamBpSgzk-UntcGbydvB9EWpeVgxjTDJnvxNSiPn8PLwL76Jy-b-OrTBkGjikPAzTY17jlYR1NFHmPDccsPAmrKMFrHHTwWjQMAQCdniV9f5RrbKCMU-7n7/s640/IMG_0867.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Do you?<br />
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</div>
<h3>
Other Monster Issues</h3>
"Ghouls Rule" was a favorite episode for me. It seemed like a slightly better version of "Fright On." This time, the prejudice was between monsters and humans, and it included prejudice in the justice system.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_5i4JlqKsl_cqxvO0U3BRTTHlTq9i9FR7UXoDchOTXPQ5VtXydMIwOE4X928-7GzZ7HWJSzzYrFAiw956JUcHSARFn0hXj0zebQlV4BcNAvleceHEY6uSe_fCLU7ylUUZdK5KUdoDkCg/s1600/IMG_0886.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_5i4JlqKsl_cqxvO0U3BRTTHlTq9i9FR7UXoDchOTXPQ5VtXydMIwOE4X928-7GzZ7HWJSzzYrFAiw956JUcHSARFn0hXj0zebQlV4BcNAvleceHEY6uSe_fCLU7ylUUZdK5KUdoDkCg/s640/IMG_0886.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Many movies and stories make fun of cops, portraying them as buffoonish and ignorant. (And in the grand tradition of children's movies, almost all adults are portrayed that way.) But this one went the distance making the connection between power and injustice.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLPrYc2PXtEmw8kHzeyxUSZ8tkdHifm3Qn3cWlRRNPyhYjpNWoBhEpd2VBHgPQEtn6xEmMkrFSkNP3zCpuWsWw9uSO-bYAMcjwJxOhsmXK_Xqq2S6tNmCK6QzD3GrfP2Kb3xi0rp3lI3t/s1600/IMG_0900.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLPrYc2PXtEmw8kHzeyxUSZ8tkdHifm3Qn3cWlRRNPyhYjpNWoBhEpd2VBHgPQEtn6xEmMkrFSkNP3zCpuWsWw9uSO-bYAMcjwJxOhsmXK_Xqq2S6tNmCK6QzD3GrfP2Kb3xi0rp3lI3t/s640/IMG_0900.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Facts don't matter, assigning blame matters.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VhqZFuzgCyubIv9eZDbNeLRbkja6y9Jyq4LczdJSadiyza6oN6kwaJeMKHH9pKRZ9ozLrVQp9xnzFkLy0Co7U1bBRAIJntl3l6lLNufBxyNSEyMTUsi_dOC8uuSkVWkn6RdGTFAVxJjU/s1600/IMG_0901.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1VhqZFuzgCyubIv9eZDbNeLRbkja6y9Jyq4LczdJSadiyza6oN6kwaJeMKHH9pKRZ9ozLrVQp9xnzFkLy0Co7U1bBRAIJntl3l6lLNufBxyNSEyMTUsi_dOC8uuSkVWkn6RdGTFAVxJjU/s640/IMG_0901.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Redefining justice only as punishment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This movie felt real, and brave. Sure, a sappy happy ending wrapped everything up too easily, but it's good to point out that people in power are generally not held accountable for their actions. That's a kind of "being yourself" that's unacceptable. Good job to the writers for calling it out.<br />
<h3>
Small Complaints</h3>
There's two things about the cartoon I find very distracting. First, the animation can be unpleasant. I dislike the way the girls walk, and occasionally the way their mouths move. It feels unreal, part uncanny valley and part laziness.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CQDAJnnbAJ4RM700VXBQj6vnJHBgQyvHPLkqBTDWgR9HErGG1lDJQOr_NsvArtMAtT6cdpA5fpYAIDElHn1hf8jQOHj3GXTZQyO-eP7BvH2tC8XnPPGm1IonQ15pbD5gfRHmQMEnqV8T/s1600/IMG_0926.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CQDAJnnbAJ4RM700VXBQj6vnJHBgQyvHPLkqBTDWgR9HErGG1lDJQOr_NsvArtMAtT6cdpA5fpYAIDElHn1hf8jQOHj3GXTZQyO-eP7BvH2tC8XnPPGm1IonQ15pbD5gfRHmQMEnqV8T/s640/IMG_0926.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Almost every episode has a scene with the ghouls strutting their stuff</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8GQQ0djo9HTHWt8AqYJQub5aaL6kMyG2N1g9YA-38pHyzpzFCh3iWfS_682WHFo1Kg-pNPoZAULcFzL_KeVOwca8KBqgaCbog8Ae9N5vFNsTBsB1yAoqG0FeXXfEtOrqtiUbWsOZJiq6/s1600/IMG_0927.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8GQQ0djo9HTHWt8AqYJQub5aaL6kMyG2N1g9YA-38pHyzpzFCh3iWfS_682WHFo1Kg-pNPoZAULcFzL_KeVOwca8KBqgaCbog8Ae9N5vFNsTBsB1yAoqG0FeXXfEtOrqtiUbWsOZJiq6/s640/IMG_0927.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">immediately followed by breaking the forth wall over their shoulders. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
The other thing I dislike is the character's voices. Kid's cartoons have always done this, using over the top silly voices with mangled foreign accents. This could be used for good- showing that an immigrant character is still intelligent even if they speak broken English- but generally it's either played for laughs or is merely a shortcut to differentiate characters. </div>
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How do you like the Monster High movies and values?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_KCKrib5KZf0ARoG9FiOh3YtUL4WLQeztSzKfPmMLNwLMhFNTVaNXnqopwGLadymjhyRQK57onbHyvPjN6uI35iL48PJ6QKsU1BmGVZAhv_hNi87IL18zXdhoez0GubOdO-UugKJpN1Z/s1600/DSC_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_KCKrib5KZf0ARoG9FiOh3YtUL4WLQeztSzKfPmMLNwLMhFNTVaNXnqopwGLadymjhyRQK57onbHyvPjN6uI35iL48PJ6QKsU1BmGVZAhv_hNi87IL18zXdhoez0GubOdO-UugKJpN1Z/s640/DSC_0023.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1124813166436081163%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2075462475114088579%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-aHCv1Oaugwg%2FVvGRoLfMKEI%2FAAAAAAAACDA%2FnyrtmmXmLK80fsB3oLN3IwYPxsU6YwJLQ%2Fs640%2FIMG_0927.PNG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=t5pab7LJZm8V&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 23553px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1124813166436081163%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D2075462475114088579%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-aHCv1Oaugwg%2FVvGRoLfMKEI%2FAAAAAAAACDA%2FnyrtmmXmLK80fsB3oLN3IwYPxsU6YwJLQ%2Fs640%2FIMG_0927.PNG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=t5pab7LJZm8V&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 33px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 23553px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-78522990223799074622016-03-21T17:24:00.000-07:002016-04-25T20:17:46.172-07:00Why I Don't Skinny-Shame My DollsBarbie gets a lot of criticism. I'm glad that it seems like they have listened to some of that criticism as they are bringing out new "Curvy" dolls.<br />
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However, it doesn't bother me that Barbie is skinny (or that Monster High dolls are even skinnier.) Although I certainly don't think that Barbie, Mattel, or other dolls are above criticism, I don't think this is a very useful criticism, and there's a better way to look at it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRveBwwidGOLKMTB0dMB6iVjUwDf3aoSJrL2H3gy7XiJ1j2xKrVmaUWCitiHwoM3aJHO4KIMTx93CzyrZJDSJJ2N5Ct8dRyehYF5TpO8IpqDn_wmQW5gk1coabKKKb9XlhrrIQ3EK3pLR4/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRveBwwidGOLKMTB0dMB6iVjUwDf3aoSJrL2H3gy7XiJ1j2xKrVmaUWCitiHwoM3aJHO4KIMTx93CzyrZJDSJJ2N5Ct8dRyehYF5TpO8IpqDn_wmQW5gk1coabKKKb9XlhrrIQ3EK3pLR4/s640/DSC_0002.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thin, thinner, thinnest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<h3>
Why I Don't Skinny-Shame My Dolls</h3>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
1. Barbie was never meant to be a realistic human being. She's basically a cartoon. Cartoons are known for having exaggerated features. And if we are talking about the Monster High dolls- they aren't even meant to be human. I don't know if Barbie has made some little girls feel bad about their bodies, but it hardly seems comparable to airbrushed magazine covers based on real photographs. Here's a<a href="http://w11.zetaboards.com/agcollectors/topic/11110020/1/"> good discussion</a> about the subject.</blockquote>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
2. Barbie wasn't meant to be examined naked. She's meant to wear clothes. Designer <a href="http://tommydoll.com/2014/03/09/why-barbie-is-important-for-dummies/">Tommydoll </a>says: "anyone who has ever sewn a doll dress can tell you, Barbie’s proportions work in tandem with her clothing, and the way she appears fully dressed (bulky seams make Barbie look even odder than she does naked – everyone knows that)." [note: some of Tommy's posts are NSFW]</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
3. It's convenient for Barbies to all be the same size so they can share clothes. (I know this is a cop-out reason, but I feel sad my new curvy dolls only have three outfits to share.)</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
4. Some people <i>are</i> thin. It doesn't mean we need to criticize them, judge them, or accuse them of poor health. You don't know someone's health or habits just by looking at them. I had thin arms and legs in high school, but I wasn't anorexic; I was an athlete.</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_lqLki-vIEZHXTuzC5yMk0vhE_QQ60ksMJpiAjOe88iX6bqd9PuGZ7-6XUTossWvxwNLbAYn3wBjCF9Kpg99m2q_GScAj8PD8-SvJF_110wvvIhUb5Ijp7ZXjD1RFLNVCxEpPPb9U-lE/s1600/track.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_lqLki-vIEZHXTuzC5yMk0vhE_QQ60ksMJpiAjOe88iX6bqd9PuGZ7-6XUTossWvxwNLbAYn3wBjCF9Kpg99m2q_GScAj8PD8-SvJF_110wvvIhUb5Ijp7ZXjD1RFLNVCxEpPPb9U-lE/s1600/track.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, maybe age 14</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
5. This criticism of dolls mirrors criticism of people. In attempt to support size diversity, some have said "real women have curves," with good intentions, but is hurtful to thin women, or to women with muscles. (All women are real women.) I can't say it's not okay to criticize one size of people, and then turn around to criticize another group of people. Either way, we end up encouraging body hatred.</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JlePFoYYGp0S75fAirsUQdY0S0XOH2L1VUMjH0F-ivi-ELsVGdvNG5pd8Cje6On3lDN-8LWj1faezUjiOlyytVkjiQilQ-S9tvQzW7kfa7b5oSM6K_uMSDuEj2NuH-2FTDM-nwBVLqJ_/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_JlePFoYYGp0S75fAirsUQdY0S0XOH2L1VUMjH0F-ivi-ELsVGdvNG5pd8Cje6On3lDN-8LWj1faezUjiOlyytVkjiQilQ-S9tvQzW7kfa7b5oSM6K_uMSDuEj2NuH-2FTDM-nwBVLqJ_/s640/DSC_0004.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't we get along?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">Why I Expect More</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
1. I do want Barbie diversity. Real life is diverse, and it's exciting to reflect that in play, display, and art. I don't think every fashion doll needs to look like a Lammily doll, but I am very happy that Lammily exists, and I hope they'll continue producing great work. </blockquote>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOQ2-14JPlsaWHWLlAZIR3kAn5ZttUBJi6fSMNjDfvMehW_GtgPlwRBrRbXE-jVQpHIL9BExaRadU3jmX_K4Bw3KLsSOWVfHmb4td4hvsx2yhe4rSO-EbLTI9LCQX3rUD0HkZLUBunA4o/s1600/DSC_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOQ2-14JPlsaWHWLlAZIR3kAn5ZttUBJi6fSMNjDfvMehW_GtgPlwRBrRbXE-jVQpHIL9BExaRadU3jmX_K4Bw3KLsSOWVfHmb4td4hvsx2yhe4rSO-EbLTI9LCQX3rUD0HkZLUBunA4o/s640/DSC_0008.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We can be friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
2. Fat (or curvy) dolls can be one way to teach children to treat all people with respect (including themselves) no matter what their body type. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
3. Curvy Barbie is a good first step for Mattel. But I hope they don't see it as the end, or as a way to avoid criticism. Keep going!</blockquote>
It also seems like some on the internet dislike Mattel's addition of curvy or fat dolls. (Something about how kids don't care or won't notice.) I disagree. Representation matters.<br />
<br />
My expectations of dolls with diverse body types have largely not been met in the doll world, but many crafters have modified their dolls to reflect reality and dreams in exciting ways.<br />
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Anyway, here are the new curvy dolls! So happy. If only Mattel would make these ladies with articulation...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZu85NhkPrhefFEoiIwLS70V-mvxn16qZcN28Yscv44iBj1T6tlSkrUE0I1Rqt3sSOJEORT_GQpHPaN3xwNVDLY5nLIVcGB3Xr5S_5Sd7MvjSj1pGFSX8OQq3jGGl1QiNvnziQu6bJuILx/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZu85NhkPrhefFEoiIwLS70V-mvxn16qZcN28Yscv44iBj1T6tlSkrUE0I1Rqt3sSOJEORT_GQpHPaN3xwNVDLY5nLIVcGB3Xr5S_5Sd7MvjSj1pGFSX8OQq3jGGl1QiNvnziQu6bJuILx/s640/DSC_0003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And I have an update on how Curvy compares to other doll sizes:</div>
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From left: </div>
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<a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2016/02/mimi-bobeck-review-fat-dolls.html">Mimi Bobeck</a>, Curvy Barbie, Rosie O'Donnell, Lammily, Barbie Fashionista, and Monster High Cleo</div>
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It's especially interesting to see how much Mattel changed their design from the 90's Rosie to the 2016 Curvy. Curvy has an hourglass figure, while Rosie is blocky with an exaggerated chest. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIKNguJamEbzdAnfMBiveE60KVYPsqWfWavmHLpfPtehX0qjpXXGWp_bFjyIS1jA2xaH6otnX_qlEgrhNqT4EU4YXYaAKf9HQPb_uEHC9IPAg7FWvZSEEFIN5sF7paUhS20RFBt4poah3/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIKNguJamEbzdAnfMBiveE60KVYPsqWfWavmHLpfPtehX0qjpXXGWp_bFjyIS1jA2xaH6otnX_qlEgrhNqT4EU4YXYaAKf9HQPb_uEHC9IPAg7FWvZSEEFIN5sF7paUhS20RFBt4poah3/s640/DSC_0032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3/4 angle view</td></tr>
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Curvy's proportions are not wildly different than a Lammily doll, although there are some noticeable differences, especially Lammily's long torso and shorter legs. I suspect Lammily's success is a big part of Mattel choosing to make a larger doll.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNjLUO91SQ5TI4qkT3bfDOsDVHH8KYL_tzZXFfkftbTNzB6MBZyRsqJP5pheguhvV6U01dQk8c5WEkLWzLtYA0foRvRfVu8mRxYlS7xAIdeww62JCnokpPgKPgTOubkvF7MkLiJhtrDnU/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNjLUO91SQ5TI4qkT3bfDOsDVHH8KYL_tzZXFfkftbTNzB6MBZyRsqJP5pheguhvV6U01dQk8c5WEkLWzLtYA0foRvRfVu8mRxYlS7xAIdeww62JCnokpPgKPgTOubkvF7MkLiJhtrDnU/s640/DSC_0049.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side view</td></tr>
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Curvy still can't compete with Mimi for curves. I hope Mattel will be brave enough to make fat dolls in all sizes some day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_frD1UtmKo1XxrcS3STCIrGwxSrc41-3pROaglEC_bTbJF3nVIDuagQHbl6O8bbQrJB3jeyrNF6NYlW_oeljbZ6beXYP7tQ4OmhuGUAyzVkzfKj5SbrDRFV6wIEeO9IBbLo7XaGi25uE/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_frD1UtmKo1XxrcS3STCIrGwxSrc41-3pROaglEC_bTbJF3nVIDuagQHbl6O8bbQrJB3jeyrNF6NYlW_oeljbZ6beXYP7tQ4OmhuGUAyzVkzfKj5SbrDRFV6wIEeO9IBbLo7XaGi25uE/s640/DSC_0015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wonderful ladies of all sizes</td></tr>
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<br />Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-30088620657738257782016-02-14T08:08:00.003-08:002018-08-27T22:16:54.322-07:00Mimi Bobeck Review + Fat DollsWhile we are waiting on the new "curvy" Barbie, I wanted to review current available fashion dolls in a plus size category. I recently bought a Mimi Bobeck doll, a favorite collectable for those seeking fat fashion dolls. (I use the term "fat" because it is the preferred term of<a href="https://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2015/05/07/the-problem-with-calling-people-overweight/"> fat activists.</a> I don't call individuals fat unless I know that is their personal preferred term.) Although I don't require or expect many/any of my dolls to have realistic human proportions, I do want to have curvy, fat, and other shapes of dolls to in some way reflect that world we live in. I believe all bodies are good bodies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2MxfDnGl06yrNpfqSeJ5c2xu10bcxejuR_a2K66SBssNXn0nhBMB02yt44ZYgLSeS7G63_2gh47nz7EI78xIt45tO5LkQAvSQSSGKx8fySlcD9SX1Yd5_ZmhmqABmX7FMRY7LBw6HYv4/s1600/mimi.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2MxfDnGl06yrNpfqSeJ5c2xu10bcxejuR_a2K66SBssNXn0nhBMB02yt44ZYgLSeS7G63_2gh47nz7EI78xIt45tO5LkQAvSQSSGKx8fySlcD9SX1Yd5_ZmhmqABmX7FMRY7LBw6HYv4/s640/mimi.05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi comes with a working bag and hand mirror; Drew gets a coffee mug and non-opening briefcase.</td></tr>
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Mimi Bobeck and Drew Carey are characters from "The Drew Carey Show," which aired in the mid 1990s. Their doll personas were made by Creation Entertainment in 1998. I never watched the show myself, but I found this <a href="http://www.maadwomen.com/lynnemurray/essays/mimibrobeck.html">nice essay</a> about Mimi while wandering the internet today.</div>
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The dolls are no longer being manufactured, but can be found on <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mimi%20bobeck%20doll&ssPageName=GSTL">eBay</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mimi+bobeck+doll">Amazon</a>. I'm not generally willing to spend more than $20 on a doll, so patient shopping led me to purchase Mimi for $25 and Drew for $16. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd6KOZzIbuYnHn-Y2VoSTV6nD6ZPnRRZZ1uP2q4TKgJksB-tWavYOTQQKghfZYwp8RLCUr4wRP-nSGdw4m17wMF_-ZP3QyEXEX13HuYHMPZwtIU3FFy-7n9Gx8gOZdu5v6tC4ltIm0N3s/s1600/mimi.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHd6KOZzIbuYnHn-Y2VoSTV6nD6ZPnRRZZ1uP2q4TKgJksB-tWavYOTQQKghfZYwp8RLCUr4wRP-nSGdw4m17wMF_-ZP3QyEXEX13HuYHMPZwtIU3FFy-7n9Gx8gOZdu5v6tC4ltIm0N3s/s640/mimi.02.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Mimi is not, at first glance, an appealing doll. Her brightly colored clothes and garish make-up make her look like a clown. It really doesn't capture the fierce look of the actresses.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WC8g9FkaAlVuCsybksY7A_3136L_Z1HJaabEbZx4sVJLFAAhKavKnDkx4f3Pokps3Wf0bT2hu-a63KnLOCKGRHNdoe_c_tFhfW5I3L-UlzooP2vO2y67oguerM_KG8ivBzHXFm8SMVzO/s1600/the-drew-carey-show-kathy-kinney-21-300x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WC8g9FkaAlVuCsybksY7A_3136L_Z1HJaabEbZx4sVJLFAAhKavKnDkx4f3Pokps3Wf0bT2hu-a63KnLOCKGRHNdoe_c_tFhfW5I3L-UlzooP2vO2y67oguerM_KG8ivBzHXFm8SMVzO/s1600/the-drew-carey-show-kathy-kinney-21-300x250.jpg" /></a></div>
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However, merely removing the doll's lime green vest and shoes does a lot for her look.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fHRxh83JntQ5vFggvDSL0dNEC8vOdV5_jrotAixb7F9fNnTONH_HUKc4ZQW_bx6r-Nf3eohLx3PJxSais-A8GEPtSDBcr9qdSUVox4ObNqMDeq6SEfkQftszuIy08TcJnTqolohW-KC9/s1600/mimi.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fHRxh83JntQ5vFggvDSL0dNEC8vOdV5_jrotAixb7F9fNnTONH_HUKc4ZQW_bx6r-Nf3eohLx3PJxSais-A8GEPtSDBcr9qdSUVox4ObNqMDeq6SEfkQftszuIy08TcJnTqolohW-KC9/s640/mimi.08.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Mimi's purple pants are similar to scrubs, and could easily be replicated in another color. Her hot pink top is long-sleeved, with a v-neck and frills at the collar and wrists. I think it's cute. Of course, I was most interested in seeing the doll undressed. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XiTBpISqtZ9ttBBfneP0WTT9GRQGWdKDu_O2yNLJv-Ed17kjasL2RpHqvUI3Xl-k3Ijqll8igtPmfryAfLl9rrvPJJ-V2CThuDftYSbxZnWzZyRi4m3uQ3SHLBCcEB1HwlDoWptkHmbt/s1600/mimi.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XiTBpISqtZ9ttBBfneP0WTT9GRQGWdKDu_O2yNLJv-Ed17kjasL2RpHqvUI3Xl-k3Ijqll8igtPmfryAfLl9rrvPJJ-V2CThuDftYSbxZnWzZyRi4m3uQ3SHLBCcEB1HwlDoWptkHmbt/s640/mimi.10.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Although my Mimi has several purple stains on her hips (almost 20 years sitting in the box will do that for you) her body has a wonderful and interesting sculpt. This may sound weird, but I feel like the doll designers were brave to make an actual fat doll. (I especially like her double chin.) </div>
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Mimi is capable of standing up on her own, but her center of gravity is a bit hard to find. I think she has to be slightly leaning forward. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFW4x3ICCTpA8BkltACX8UeJSth_ZbKAfnNE8cuuCSjphTuPqR3BDjXJd6lp0AHSYDePkdW3CdCcDFeKda38AdrHgQ8HJYC8AebAYP3GzEglZVNZ386wPxV9s0lf-PwAmJBk8hJIr_Xdjo/s1600/mimi.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFW4x3ICCTpA8BkltACX8UeJSth_ZbKAfnNE8cuuCSjphTuPqR3BDjXJd6lp0AHSYDePkdW3CdCcDFeKda38AdrHgQ8HJYC8AebAYP3GzEglZVNZ386wPxV9s0lf-PwAmJBk8hJIr_Xdjo/s640/mimi.11.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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I am, as usual, indebted to <a href="https://playbarbies.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/our-collection-the-big-beautiful-ones/">How to Play with Barbies </a>for calling my attention to the variety of fat dolls. I have been unable to purchase the Turnblad dolls yet (their secondary market value is currently over $100), but I think Mimi's body sculpt is slightly more interesting and realistic than theirs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorxpyPhYXRyYskOpXX-4Ho1rNck6dpd-zwNQfdaLidYWWk6lmsO2VGW7Lp_7J7_nBPi-AVZS76sfD7aUIys0vCyTRAITWIopUm-P4vzq0MLbP1eKFHI4rEWH_YCmtb83MQNpl3YCO5B0T/s1600/mimi.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorxpyPhYXRyYskOpXX-4Ho1rNck6dpd-zwNQfdaLidYWWk6lmsO2VGW7Lp_7J7_nBPi-AVZS76sfD7aUIys0vCyTRAITWIopUm-P4vzq0MLbP1eKFHI4rEWH_YCmtb83MQNpl3YCO5B0T/s640/mimi.14.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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Mimi has the basic five points of articulation. Unlike most barbies, Mimi's joints are only rotational. She cannot "lift" her arms, she can only twist them upwards. When pointed down, her arms are not close to her body, and she's unable to rest her hand on her thighs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTDkpxVaKU7yCfR-4aCyuosi7pYbmnNXUf44wZW5Xy2IBbQkeAoa6UnjYtbLVc3-XDYrAq04N2y6LVjN3U6Hov0-lwRI01oTnH6BmdzfD3__54frbUb2CG0AoTY7IfPqefGRPKs87fHsM/s1600/mimi.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOTDkpxVaKU7yCfR-4aCyuosi7pYbmnNXUf44wZW5Xy2IBbQkeAoa6UnjYtbLVc3-XDYrAq04N2y6LVjN3U6Hov0-lwRI01oTnH6BmdzfD3__54frbUb2CG0AoTY7IfPqefGRPKs87fHsM/s640/mimi.16.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Mimi's body and head are made of hard plastic. (Most barbies have softer vinyl heads.) When her neck joint is rotated, she gazes further upward. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWqKs1vS6bT5TdXHtmAtkCUP4fjt5IlGNJMiY8RBdRbziDcR4ZOLIBax-lLANRSY_aI2TgEAEYiBGjUzNi6O3729oxr74wyX0kIJNz4-Na7i8sC5cHhG_iNDddV52MQtikjF1Zsc8-2o-/s1600/mimi.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWqKs1vS6bT5TdXHtmAtkCUP4fjt5IlGNJMiY8RBdRbziDcR4ZOLIBax-lLANRSY_aI2TgEAEYiBGjUzNi6O3729oxr74wyX0kIJNz4-Na7i8sC5cHhG_iNDddV52MQtikjF1Zsc8-2o-/s400/mimi.15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshzpW4UyXn7ttf_6M5jOIw5sp6cYqMLd_zs7r4Y_wCeEBYI9__qfXh7w5kwwnRol8mT6nT3NMHyVaekYBWby34l7fLV2wmBt4dVrJHtoAgK9KOe6U3ngU71JvJVroW5ZiwyF-fdZOnxiV/s1600/mimi.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshzpW4UyXn7ttf_6M5jOIw5sp6cYqMLd_zs7r4Y_wCeEBYI9__qfXh7w5kwwnRol8mT6nT3NMHyVaekYBWby34l7fLV2wmBt4dVrJHtoAgK9KOe6U3ngU71JvJVroW5ZiwyF-fdZOnxiV/s400/mimi.27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The worst part of the rotational joints is noticeable when Mimi tries to sit. Her legs splay out, and she is unable to lean forward in a comfortable way. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV9sJH1A1g8rsDfZ799Zga2B2ghLvM7Z4cYwm3gYCsWodqG5-Vts83S3_H7Lc1iiAH0wpVesVKbW3f1tnckhuygRDs5EAU9GgZ08ONPTUm0QHq9MbWbjXFtkY9ZhqVGlJ4yMJQAJMrgEh/s1600/mimi.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigV9sJH1A1g8rsDfZ799Zga2B2ghLvM7Z4cYwm3gYCsWodqG5-Vts83S3_H7Lc1iiAH0wpVesVKbW3f1tnckhuygRDs5EAU9GgZ08ONPTUm0QHq9MbWbjXFtkY9ZhqVGlJ4yMJQAJMrgEh/s640/mimi.17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's Mimi with my other normal/plus size dolls and a regular Barbie for comparison. Rosie O'Donnell is from the 90s, and seems to be the only "plus-size" doll Mattel has ever made. (She is much easier to find in the secondary marketplace- I bought mine for $4 at a doll show.) Rosie can wear some of Ken's pants. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76ct_mc-gHhvSaWSHAt5gLKYN1lnHjSupgHBTomrFiJ-OZhHeY0p4jSHrel_rnVjzo2EhCnJCZYr3nvc5Zfe8ITh_o0vWuAVTGLPUlf8ygbLuDiEWVc2d48PeHurG1il3YRezTmV_pyib/s1600/mimi.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76ct_mc-gHhvSaWSHAt5gLKYN1lnHjSupgHBTomrFiJ-OZhHeY0p4jSHrel_rnVjzo2EhCnJCZYr3nvc5Zfe8ITh_o0vWuAVTGLPUlf8ygbLuDiEWVc2d48PeHurG1il3YRezTmV_pyib/s640/mimi.18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My <a href="http://lammily.com/">Lammily</a> doll, Margot, was created to demonstrate the average proportions of a 19 year old woman. She and Rosie can share some shirts, but not pants, due to Margot's booty. So, it turns out that my Rosie doll isn't plus size after all. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mgg2mXjzSrX7xgMSz_TM0yCDaUX-6knjpGX2bUAsGM7C3Ckcpyi14HuGzYgSKFbsRl-FGQiuBV1tTVAydFeudDGmkYB__UBAjg8QDTXH_XFXepNIg1ZozVIh6KeVp-VmjICTSf-FxnMI/s1600/mimi.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mgg2mXjzSrX7xgMSz_TM0yCDaUX-6knjpGX2bUAsGM7C3Ckcpyi14HuGzYgSKFbsRl-FGQiuBV1tTVAydFeudDGmkYB__UBAjg8QDTXH_XFXepNIg1ZozVIh6KeVp-VmjICTSf-FxnMI/s640/mimi.19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mimi is much shorter than the other dolls, but height differences are common in real life too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhODOBf3TrL6VUyUOfgdwvuu9PdMPhTCo1t0SjxECM2Hy_yayOhm42QUp8J6GFPc2Slvdvks2M4SpBuPH59KzkzPrtiNYnFDX8ON4PxGXSkPgtIlg6kTXAddgyRqOjEsuGTlge_DkJ4vN/s1600/mimi.20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhODOBf3TrL6VUyUOfgdwvuu9PdMPhTCo1t0SjxECM2Hy_yayOhm42QUp8J6GFPc2Slvdvks2M4SpBuPH59KzkzPrtiNYnFDX8ON4PxGXSkPgtIlg6kTXAddgyRqOjEsuGTlge_DkJ4vN/s640/mimi.20.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Drew gets a much more normal outfit than Mimi. He is wearing shoes, socks, and a removable jacket. His jacket opens with two buttons.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzen4zBt5DyW1cUB0zLkds3fg6rxRs2_mdtLchp9hlpiXEh1DlqXC-oN-nvtTbpP_mvTtHga4rsqHey_yvDZAhC68VRlL7PUjfm-Y8103C8oq-CUoq7imd32RK60Oxnat7P_F1-trv7V3I/s1600/mimi.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzen4zBt5DyW1cUB0zLkds3fg6rxRs2_mdtLchp9hlpiXEh1DlqXC-oN-nvtTbpP_mvTtHga4rsqHey_yvDZAhC68VRlL7PUjfm-Y8103C8oq-CUoq7imd32RK60Oxnat7P_F1-trv7V3I/s640/mimi.21.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Underneath, in the tradition of Ken dolls, his business pants, formal shirt, and tie are a single piece. They open in the back with velcro. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISmubr2InaQHDAbzKQztVvJwH8fnJh9uvq52llcjjDy-Su-9dgO_d5PXpZ6ZAOBbO8rbOxuZnFZMtsBWkjiHlZyvgjr5-t31V0BhcmiDBeN5zk8RSBbwGRpM3Zkxz2hwLpk0DnvYkJbJn/s1600/mimi.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISmubr2InaQHDAbzKQztVvJwH8fnJh9uvq52llcjjDy-Su-9dgO_d5PXpZ6ZAOBbO8rbOxuZnFZMtsBWkjiHlZyvgjr5-t31V0BhcmiDBeN5zk8RSBbwGRpM3Zkxz2hwLpk0DnvYkJbJn/s640/mimi.22.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Undressed, Drew has similar hip staining like Mimi, plus some on his arms. His hip joint is very different than Mimi's, with a cut into his torso that allows his to sit with his legs straight in front of him.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-gNIm-PRyn84fBRXvbFvAMVKcWeVEt60GU1JEGJM1cTVs8epJNV1cmB93TwUZW6S5uTXJ_akMPCE9yA9NlqDlQS6Cf0vczHJVumJHJH9dpdPC2prmh2B04QHupoc4xnB3eQjTnBEYXeO/s1600/mimi.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-gNIm-PRyn84fBRXvbFvAMVKcWeVEt60GU1JEGJM1cTVs8epJNV1cmB93TwUZW6S5uTXJ_akMPCE9yA9NlqDlQS6Cf0vczHJVumJHJH9dpdPC2prmh2B04QHupoc4xnB3eQjTnBEYXeO/s640/mimi.25.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABuYgs6rVlqwL2af-H0ryGhZgdR48v1YZAP41F_wMktACXCsT0QwSs4M8XPoUDhUBVa3SzwphKsq1BJTdgI_OHyMonZDWf6euQtwjbP6OgGVMjIzBUrCP2BQA9t-_3g3LI7CT6fQdU3RD/s1600/mimi.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABuYgs6rVlqwL2af-H0ryGhZgdR48v1YZAP41F_wMktACXCsT0QwSs4M8XPoUDhUBVa3SzwphKsq1BJTdgI_OHyMonZDWf6euQtwjbP6OgGVMjIzBUrCP2BQA9t-_3g3LI7CT6fQdU3RD/s640/mimi.26.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, he is still unable to "sit up straight."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJocp5GGkyYfxn42hb6OzzUBvdXyU6WDehgaWYukgLuLy9-4PDC1WQTczIklAO3cFlWuokJ_N_yhmOlgSY_GMobeaspLXYsdPmE2byFggXBfuXAQ7SMbcmDvUBqtyAoSHWRyaQIV_covJw/s1600/mimi.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJocp5GGkyYfxn42hb6OzzUBvdXyU6WDehgaWYukgLuLy9-4PDC1WQTczIklAO3cFlWuokJ_N_yhmOlgSY_GMobeaspLXYsdPmE2byFggXBfuXAQ7SMbcmDvUBqtyAoSHWRyaQIV_covJw/s640/mimi.29.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Drew's shape is mostly concentrated in his pot belly, though his chest and arms are also thick. He is noticiably taller than Mimi, and lacks her diameter or round thighs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTxcyaqqTo99mZ034dia584K7Arryb66Xv_5-E0IprwQf7w2jQ5_z9kBH4o1uBge7uQfSWQMWzXHqK0Qsx_nrzSHjs1fNdAbnLJw1qbbE4ecKn2T1i4QjkX1fKYrX766LMqJMv9HY7N0O/s1600/mimi.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTxcyaqqTo99mZ034dia584K7Arryb66Xv_5-E0IprwQf7w2jQ5_z9kBH4o1uBge7uQfSWQMWzXHqK0Qsx_nrzSHjs1fNdAbnLJw1qbbE4ecKn2T1i4QjkX1fKYrX766LMqJMv9HY7N0O/s640/mimi.32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Drew is shorter than the average Ken. (Also, his head looks strangely small.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pdq75Pdje9cHMOUYLffHQJrFtAUqjzLR2xbvqNOTLjFGFtElIh80-qA_bNq0fT668fDJgwIqvwj49wQSuHlEjmw_Slfin0BMPMjVKdgpXmpVZMDGiwVjd-4FkPBX5UZQYmytUsBFkK5f/s1600/mimi.35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pdq75Pdje9cHMOUYLffHQJrFtAUqjzLR2xbvqNOTLjFGFtElIh80-qA_bNq0fT668fDJgwIqvwj49wQSuHlEjmw_Slfin0BMPMjVKdgpXmpVZMDGiwVjd-4FkPBX5UZQYmytUsBFkK5f/s640/mimi.35.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Drew's arms and legs don't add much to his sculpt. I wish there were a simple way to replace them with an articulated option. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh661SeRqL6L6A4ItZWB1bTUq57pYWjIvL6Buu6Cl7l55C5eOicdiBHnlnXfJph5LMyZsbzbsHUVXxYDl5tRb4jS11tuZVMW3N-mxVW-jjgfAytOEIJSSdeJbPn2lTGYEWjgc_GtlEeUe_P/s1600/mimi.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh661SeRqL6L6A4ItZWB1bTUq57pYWjIvL6Buu6Cl7l55C5eOicdiBHnlnXfJph5LMyZsbzbsHUVXxYDl5tRb4jS11tuZVMW3N-mxVW-jjgfAytOEIJSSdeJbPn2lTGYEWjgc_GtlEeUe_P/s640/mimi.37.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi staring at the ceiling. Drew holding on couch for dear life.</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Despite their poor articulation, Mimi and Drew are doing their best to get comfortable in my doll collection, and I'm very happy to have them. I look forward to re-painting Mimi's face and creating some new outfits for her. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Other collectors have use Mimi creatively. <a href="http://limbedolls.blogspot.com/2013/08/recent-repaints.html">Limbe Dolls</a> made a beautiful black Mimi with acrylic paint. Many <a href="https://www.flickr.com/search/?q=blythe+mimi+bobeck">Blythe doll collectors</a> have used Mimi's body with a Blythe head to make a cute chubby doll. <a href="http://crazybarbielady.blogspot.com/2011/10/to-start-out-few-modifications.html">Lola</a> repainted the face of her Mimi, and gave her new hair. (She includes a warning not to boil wash Mimi's current hair because it will melt.) </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2zs2Quh_uj3kso73NPZ40xrLUitaNny2GzZEClYl_CfHcyIvKXoqIc8gES53WjBRwq5e_IrbwTb4KI8poQE3EVR3sKwN3xWe9vHOz2fqabvsXcLmPbAxtMtPKoOz4DNf-aOAOsJbixRe/s1600/IMG_6475.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2zs2Quh_uj3kso73NPZ40xrLUitaNny2GzZEClYl_CfHcyIvKXoqIc8gES53WjBRwq5e_IrbwTb4KI8poQE3EVR3sKwN3xWe9vHOz2fqabvsXcLmPbAxtMtPKoOz4DNf-aOAOsJbixRe/s400/IMG_6475.PNG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Update: My re-paint</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Can't wait to see the new Curvy Barbie, and to all doll designers: more fat dolls, please!</span></div>
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Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-52574057445589096422016-01-16T12:57:00.000-08:002016-02-26T07:27:15.459-08:00My Froggy Stuff Review: "Coffee Shop"I love watching the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/MyFroggyStuff">My Froggy Stuff</a> crafting videos for Barbie and other dolls. They are excellent and creative guides, plus just fun to watch! I finally got a chance to create a Froggy project with my nieces during Christmas vacation. So, this is a review of how well someone can mimic a Froggy project. Here's the original video:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/n9Z6EAAW-lE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n9Z6EAAW-lE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Time Commitment</span><br />
Obviously, the video makes things look easy, but this project took much longer than I expected. I spent three vacation days on it, maybe 15 hours in total. It would be a challenging project to finish during a busy season.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGwi_iJuAsV8n5zoCjKNIEZJof_dN9aeEk34AaTUkM533XC3wEPqRClEHwm_jOSUeISUtHe6yOZKz0dwXGf9NXtu_1oR2PyN_QESDjhmZf8cC2jAvw7fhyphenhyphenUQzzGuOvQQlTslNTKFBwT0R/s1600/starfrogs01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGwi_iJuAsV8n5zoCjKNIEZJof_dN9aeEk34AaTUkM533XC3wEPqRClEHwm_jOSUeISUtHe6yOZKz0dwXGf9NXtu_1oR2PyN_QESDjhmZf8cC2jAvw7fhyphenhyphenUQzzGuOvQQlTslNTKFBwT0R/s400/starfrogs01.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cost</span><br />
The cost was much lower than I anticipated. I only spent $14 since my mother-in-law had many basic craft supplies already. The instructions are clear enough that I got everything I needed on my first trip and only took a second trip to the craft store when I had difficulty making the chairs.<br />
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Scrapbook paper costs vary. Hobby Lobby had a sale, only ¢22 per sheet. Michael's were ¢66. I couldn't find brick during that trip, but I have now found some at Artco for $1 per sheet.<br />
One item not included in this video is an exacto blade. I used scissors, as per instruction, and I wish I hadn't. It is tedious and less accurate.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Skill</span><br />
I had hoped this project was something my nieces and I could do together, but that mostly didn't work out. I prepared the cardboard box, and had fun letting the girls chose locations for the cover-up paper. However, both the 9-year-old and 4-year old lacked the patience for cutting, wrapping and glueing paper into the room. They somewhat covered it, then I fixed things. (I also did the counter by myself.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmYL483z6BKqOWvW6hZVe4T4CDUJHpiTXjiXTX0AeYMNQMJ3dE-jTW4Y-KS7OQnEt7Ua3diK5Bv8-2kcrs2faiSDf8pCMWPB4Ae8LBgWhVG6bwVb7ytSx7ZlqEtm-IDetBSEAoavxsBtm/s1600/starfrogs03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmYL483z6BKqOWvW6hZVe4T4CDUJHpiTXjiXTX0AeYMNQMJ3dE-jTW4Y-KS7OQnEt7Ua3diK5Bv8-2kcrs2faiSDf8pCMWPB4Ae8LBgWhVG6bwVb7ytSx7ZlqEtm-IDetBSEAoavxsBtm/s1600/starfrogs03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day one: messy glued-on papers, hand-made coffee sign</td></tr>
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The tiny fiddly projects were hard: coffee bags, cups, and dispensers. I did them by myself.<br />
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Kids could help with glueing some paper in place (the 12" x 12" sheets were helpful).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfwQ11raSCqFHtuUxOls8QNsaC8EgqUBDchsajfDmxIK-3aQVZAWxAqomJbc7e9s4V-rUqZy5v63m5AAOWdXG2GVkDktZi9aOYFMZi2GrbNnSk9ykF44YdK5FZGTENDoSJ_86m9Nv04r2/s1600/starfrogs20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfwQ11raSCqFHtuUxOls8QNsaC8EgqUBDchsajfDmxIK-3aQVZAWxAqomJbc7e9s4V-rUqZy5v63m5AAOWdXG2GVkDktZi9aOYFMZi2GrbNnSk9ykF44YdK5FZGTENDoSJ_86m9Nv04r2/s640/starfrogs20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trim makes all the difference in covering up messy edges.</td></tr>
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We had fun making tiny food with Sculpey clay, and they also did a good job with painting. The girls were even able to "age" the chairs with black paint, as long as I kept their brushes fairly dry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSF7FrqHBLaZMzLRio2Xg3yCkbYH7eTlTXMfsR2-thFrIQOQrT8Xj40_Rrz2eoNyn-pxFA7Py4v4FjrUiWz9hLW1GS71e4rYgsriRT1tMLI56hsECM5oNQ5RPrQUaZojWk1VzjBgat09-/s1600/starfrogs22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCSF7FrqHBLaZMzLRio2Xg3yCkbYH7eTlTXMfsR2-thFrIQOQrT8Xj40_Rrz2eoNyn-pxFA7Py4v4FjrUiWz9hLW1GS71e4rYgsriRT1tMLI56hsECM5oNQ5RPrQUaZojWk1VzjBgat09-/s640/starfrogs22.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If only I could sit on that beautiful chair, Taylor Swift thinks.</td></tr>
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The tables were simple. I traced the top and bottom of some rice bowls for the circle shape. The stem is a toilet paper roll cut and rolled tight, glued with hot glue.<br />
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Unfortunately, I found these instructions for making paper chairs impossible.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lc23O3NcHF4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lc23O3NcHF4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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While I was struggling to roll up paper for the 5th time, my mother-in-law said, "Isn't that like sucker sticks?" So I went to the store and bought sucker sticks. They were much easier, although they tend to go flying across the room when you cut them. </div>
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Here's my quick guide on making chairs with sucker sticks:</div>
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Each chair requires four 9 cm sticks, seven 5 cm sticks, and five 4 cm sticks.</div>
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A cardboard seat can be 4 cm in the back, 6 cm at the front, and 5.5 cm deep.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY1LaMVr64wRkXKtU3-wZJGLoq-uHgdMsiDgIK2iQbV2Cto0_3R2MIWCv9zI2zr5bwr-XiK-zU3dp4vxMSFNRYw5kXVqsawOp7fpHTtdEfM_jjB1VXK5VUdieyKrAUPHHVvHvQStcqdFj/s1600/starfrogs14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY1LaMVr64wRkXKtU3-wZJGLoq-uHgdMsiDgIK2iQbV2Cto0_3R2MIWCv9zI2zr5bwr-XiK-zU3dp4vxMSFNRYw5kXVqsawOp7fpHTtdEfM_jjB1VXK5VUdieyKrAUPHHVvHvQStcqdFj/s640/starfrogs14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I tried to assemble the four chairs side by side, so that the sticks were attached at the same place each time. Even then... the process felt like a crooked mess. Hot glue works fast, but doesn't give you time to make little adjustments.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXj_le8hu6x_gxDRfv61KzbLILH9B50RcNkhZD5j24bK4YqDu3kePoom49kY5SmPr04GNGGGdWLWqgl_5qH9CXzps13kSrvcmyu9IDKDc4MT0G9SwOhHTzOdHmA7LQAQd5juTLfvff7Yi/s1600/starfrogs15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNXj_le8hu6x_gxDRfv61KzbLILH9B50RcNkhZD5j24bK4YqDu3kePoom49kY5SmPr04GNGGGdWLWqgl_5qH9CXzps13kSrvcmyu9IDKDc4MT0G9SwOhHTzOdHmA7LQAQd5juTLfvff7Yi/s640/starfrogs15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The chairs highlight my next problem:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sizing</span></div>
Froggy doesn't seem to measure any of her crafts. I'm not sure why, either she's so experienced that it comes naturally to her, or if she doesn't include it in her videos to save time. Here's a video for some extra coffee shop items:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3q7czxfjh4k/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3q7czxfjh4k?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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The first video came with a link to a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8jg2z82nzgBEM9xN4WX82CwUp5dPx2gFEwiWBtRe4o96ht3WGBKk21s3J1RkpQLH6jcRU3Q1DaHGAbeODXtyxwjLu_Y8Rd74ULSWww-ZQZ7n2s_EQ1KOnlf945H1Mbe5EFjY4aWqbsE/s2048-Ic42/Slide1.jpg">printable</a> for little cups. But crafters must estimate the size for this video's larger cups. I prefer the printable. My tall cups look quite shaky. (However, I loved the coffee dispensers! They encouraged me after feeling discouraged by hours of work and a tiny pile of paper crafts.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vp9FrXOFIYoShjiWPpDA60f1g0OIpvTFa9afBIvOS7xhUrDQ9LEB9JohP0_rGP_VhetLpJkQac1jSIfKeoAtvp21sRkP0xyzGs_36GxXqmIVyM-X8sz-AbBk2hG9jd570tVdt8GAVUo5/s1600/starfrogs02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vp9FrXOFIYoShjiWPpDA60f1g0OIpvTFa9afBIvOS7xhUrDQ9LEB9JohP0_rGP_VhetLpJkQac1jSIfKeoAtvp21sRkP0xyzGs_36GxXqmIVyM-X8sz-AbBk2hG9jd570tVdt8GAVUo5/s640/starfrogs02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My coffee shop itself was a tad short. Froggy's boxes at the beginning of the film were 14" x 14" x 14", mine was 12" x 12" x 12." (My size did match scrapbook paper nicely though.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Durability</span><br />
Time will tell. The idea of making everything out of paper seems iffy- yet, it's an indoor toy, and I don't think the girls will be rough with it. I'm more worried about tiny pieces getting lost. They could be glued down, but that would limit play. My idea was making a boxed area behind the counter to store everything when not in play.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBkXXpvkKWQybBzwlpHEjQtFSlLuZSdvLyPgkgIztApPyMf6AqmPJndx_Khecaa8u5bV2lJQfzDCGE_IQXBdcQZj2pU1zDDuGu6KvIjqcabSHkaBQtu5WCv5M5gtV00lclLBcnh0UFsTc/s1600/starfrogs25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBkXXpvkKWQybBzwlpHEjQtFSlLuZSdvLyPgkgIztApPyMf6AqmPJndx_Khecaa8u5bV2lJQfzDCGE_IQXBdcQZj2pU1zDDuGu6KvIjqcabSHkaBQtu5WCv5M5gtV00lclLBcnh0UFsTc/s640/starfrogs25.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything fits!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">New Skills for Kids</span><br />
If I were in less of a rush, I would enjoy teaching my nieces basic crafting skills at their own pace.<br />
<ul>
<li>How to use a ruler</li>
<li>How to measure a straight line parallel to a paper's edge</li>
<li>How to assess and measure additional paper needs</li>
<li>How to cut neatly with scissors</li>
<li>How to use a glue gun safely</li>
<li>Problem solving (fixing something not addressed in instructions)</li>
<li>How to make younger siblings feel included</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX175VX9iqF0Wl05_5xdpyDMdD64W_HirSjbkASMcWLCCZtYYVe8ZByDVuGGev5oKINziPbRgEl_yfuvcw51Cm_8HEo_MW62ngjUyhN0Y9sfZFu3Vw_cVeoNqh03v121XY9qiI3dDfV14/s1600/starfrogs23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOX175VX9iqF0Wl05_5xdpyDMdD64W_HirSjbkASMcWLCCZtYYVe8ZByDVuGGev5oKINziPbRgEl_yfuvcw51Cm_8HEo_MW62ngjUyhN0Y9sfZFu3Vw_cVeoNqh03v121XY9qiI3dDfV14/s640/starfrogs23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Problem Solving</span><br />
I should have made a bigger counter, but my niece helpfully suggested more shelves.<br />
I didn't have enough paper to cover the hidden back sides of the cardboard, but I painted them solid black.<br />
Doing this project over Christmas meant ribbon was available, and a shiny white thin ribbon made a perfect trim. (I used a hot glue gun.) It also covered up my niece's shaky cutting and glueing.<br />
On the front exterior, we ran out of the stripes pattern and had to use dots on the awkward shaped intersections. This looked bad until I added trim- suddenly it looked intentional.<br />
I included the adults by letting them draw a lovely "chalkboard" menu, then a smaller sign for each of the girls. (The girl's signs both say, "Home Sweet Coffee" for some mysterious reason.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfK8kvNglvVHZ3R4-L6vfaC61_fCRj1nzOLzZd5hUwLVz9pEOXzayP3zvZM57sR0fZZ6n0pitY0pVhZ5Tr_RFZs468O69Sja-0Fp6MB_0YEZGf12ZXlWFGhLwBNj5PWHmtgluXJyKy665p/s1600/starfrogs24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfK8kvNglvVHZ3R4-L6vfaC61_fCRj1nzOLzZd5hUwLVz9pEOXzayP3zvZM57sR0fZZ6n0pitY0pVhZ5Tr_RFZs468O69Sja-0Fp6MB_0YEZGf12ZXlWFGhLwBNj5PWHmtgluXJyKy665p/s640/starfrogs24.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Crafting!</td></tr>
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Overall, our coffee shop didn't have a polished, professional look, but I'm thrilled with it, and I hope my nieces have many happy hours of play with it. I'm looking forward to the next one.<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1124813166436081163%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5257405744558909642%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dpostname&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimg2.blogblog.com%2Fimg%2Fvideo_object.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=uaLcCqq3CpRr&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3394px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1124813166436081163%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5257405744558909642%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dpostname&media=https%3A%2F%2Fimg2.blogblog.com%2Fimg%2Fvideo_object.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=uaLcCqq3CpRr&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 3394px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1124813166436081163%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5257405744558909642&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-78sbzhJiCoQ%2FVpqrG3UZZwI%2FAAAAAAAAB1A%2FFqxSXobvsqQ%2Fs640%2Fstarfrogs22.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=uaLcCqq3CpRr&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2538px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D1124813166436081163%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5257405744558909642&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-78sbzhJiCoQ%2FVpqrG3UZZwI%2FAAAAAAAAB1A%2FFqxSXobvsqQ%2Fs640%2Fstarfrogs22.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=uaLcCqq3CpRr&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 113px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 2538px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-91489675357007014772015-10-15T15:40:00.000-07:002015-10-15T15:40:07.012-07:00Yue-Sai Wa Wa Doll Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
China Sprout sells a number of Chinese dolls on their <a href="https://www.chinasprout.com/shop/culture/toys/yuesaiwawa">website</a>. This company is in America, and promotes learning the Chinese language and culture with many books, crafts, toys and other resources. (I got a free catalog with my doll- very interesting variety for a single company.)</div>
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Yue-Sai Wa Wa varies in price from $20 to a $350 Chinese Bride doll that comes with a display case. I'm not sure what differences in quality the more expensive dolls have. There are also some discontinued dolls on Amazon. </div>
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I purchased two more affordable dolls that came with great outfits and lots of kitchen accessories, my favorite! I love their beautiful boxes and display.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjh7scOvZ3bsDKHVzwp4SmsPx4sKrO1kbJX-if1_jTdcI2KVQJQNqUFUdsNj7knq2J1AfIUOz6uQBO8F9h5wX5E18wIp5zRnKxmYifX0Mb2mwSodFDyF76l8n31UxdsyrybEbJKbkobQM/s1600/DSC_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjh7scOvZ3bsDKHVzwp4SmsPx4sKrO1kbJX-if1_jTdcI2KVQJQNqUFUdsNj7knq2J1AfIUOz6uQBO8F9h5wX5E18wIp5zRnKxmYifX0Mb2mwSodFDyF76l8n31UxdsyrybEbJKbkobQM/s640/DSC_0075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yue-Sai Wa Wa Chef and Style</td></tr>
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Yue-Sai is the name of the designer; Wa Wa is "doll" in Chinese. I think the dolls were originally sold in China, then given a new story as an Asian-American girl. Similar to the <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2015/05/queen-of-africa-nneka-review.html">Queens of Africa</a> story, Yue-Sai was sad to realize all the Barbie dolls in China were blond-haired and blue-eyed, so she created a doll that helped Chinese girls celebrate themselves and their culture.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lILlLbC7m7v_8YYfM2b6SnIruU5imj5itDD6uW3sN2dg1ba2qAnB4BxX9dGnp3gtn8N6tflCn4188raNLBEZ0r21SlC0_s7uC-eTOwOkRzXPfJyTJJHEkMTST-YSAv6KXFgUQQxUSitJ/s1600/DSC_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6lILlLbC7m7v_8YYfM2b6SnIruU5imj5itDD6uW3sN2dg1ba2qAnB4BxX9dGnp3gtn8N6tflCn4188raNLBEZ0r21SlC0_s7uC-eTOwOkRzXPfJyTJJHEkMTST-YSAv6KXFgUQQxUSitJ/s640/DSC_0076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yue-Sai Wa Wa Afternoon Tea</td></tr>
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The back of the box tells us that Yue-Sai Wa Wa is an Asian-American girl. (She looks like an adult to me!) I love the description of her personality: "She studies hard at school, respects her parents, and is kind and generous to her friends. She adores music and sports, and loves to dress up and go to parties. Yue-Sai Wa Wa also enjoys learning about her Asian heritage from her parents- a rich culture that is some 5,000 years old."<br />
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Afternoon Tea is displayed with her lovely tea set and some snacks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwo04celYNbXdDDNVBtLz5BfDZoaneCyCwX9OHfljGQ3SRsav761nfa1LkUreQ9UZzQqM6WdJ07Fl6hvVa-lHi1vGVo3HXFdzIHocyIIxKoCxiN_QgHNEAg0AyOXWtB5cmBnxLXnRHddM/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwo04celYNbXdDDNVBtLz5BfDZoaneCyCwX9OHfljGQ3SRsav761nfa1LkUreQ9UZzQqM6WdJ07Fl6hvVa-lHi1vGVo3HXFdzIHocyIIxKoCxiN_QgHNEAg0AyOXWtB5cmBnxLXnRHddM/s640/DSC_0078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love all the tiny pieces! Perhaps parents with small children don't like them as much, but this is my dream doll ensemble. The nice display had a drawback: each tiny item had a sticky glue to hold it in place. My tea set still feels tacky after trying to remove the glue.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r7qDU_KNLOGhyHYTzqrel4hvlPxjT-kL1A8WgZJVEXUP_i5D5OmaNPrOV66ZL46HrqG7CeqkST8N_u8Od3UU1u-go_5Hh8nTZx_W3A8EmBWXVtsDitlymfbiQPQSXbZQdwW03B872Guu/s1600/DSC_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r7qDU_KNLOGhyHYTzqrel4hvlPxjT-kL1A8WgZJVEXUP_i5D5OmaNPrOV66ZL46HrqG7CeqkST8N_u8Od3UU1u-go_5Hh8nTZx_W3A8EmBWXVtsDitlymfbiQPQSXbZQdwW03B872Guu/s400/DSC_0082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Afternoon Tea wears a simple high bun, thick bangs, and long gold earrings. She has red lipstick.<br />
Her smart modern outfit that looks like silk and embroidery. The jacket is sewn shut and hard to manage after removal. Both dolls came with a saddle stand, which fits nicely under their dresses. (One stand was badly bent and unusable.)<br />
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Chef and Style comes with two outfits! A traditional Chinese chef outfit and a beautiful turquoise qi-pao dress.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnzTABURNJH1VdKJZAxZTxtyvhhaQOel9-HSdfo-demOVVCnXXMIlh0aDl0KDIVS80UOn2_pQr2MfDpNfvr6FWnYWJ3jqpZoVowPZpK8XnOridn8Cmt3sPWz4yXyYXWCEUTjfUcC6KZ5O/s1600/DSC_0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnzTABURNJH1VdKJZAxZTxtyvhhaQOel9-HSdfo-demOVVCnXXMIlh0aDl0KDIVS80UOn2_pQr2MfDpNfvr6FWnYWJ3jqpZoVowPZpK8XnOridn8Cmt3sPWz4yXyYXWCEUTjfUcC6KZ5O/s640/DSC_0085.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My chef outfit has disappointing stains. How does this happen on a new doll? I hope they will wash out. This angle also shows the 3-dimensional cardboard oven. It's not interesting to me, so I tossed it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmkTgPbdB4dk4enFcHgBHecsBXDCcVG8_k0bAcfQcnvJ5f9f8RiONyjEmae1PVlanEHmQ8iLV3wpYO7a-VIdhc51MQktgGLkRinEanuiwsbPbIj861bwUpIV6OMRbDzr8NG5hElkyy2l0/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmkTgPbdB4dk4enFcHgBHecsBXDCcVG8_k0bAcfQcnvJ5f9f8RiONyjEmae1PVlanEHmQ8iLV3wpYO7a-VIdhc51MQktgGLkRinEanuiwsbPbIj861bwUpIV6OMRbDzr8NG5hElkyy2l0/s640/DSC_0086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Chef and Style carries a little basket of vegetables, tied to her hand with a ribbon that matches her outfit. This is a pretty solution, better than the usual clear plastic bands.</div>
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Food includes a tomato, green onions, pepper, yam, eggplant, ginger, and lettuce. Healthy!</div>
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Chef and Style wears her hair down with a headband. She has simple gold stud earrings and pink lipstick. Otherwise, her facial features are exactly the same as Afternoon Tea. The chef outfit is white with a qi-pao collar, and ribbons and beads that mimic frog clasps. Both of Chef's outfits velcro up the back and are easy to use. She wears white sandles with this outfit.</div>
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The turquoise qi-pao has teeny-tiny embroidery. Everything is scaled perfectly and looks beautiful. The fabric and stitching are nice quality. Most of the clothing pieces are lined with mesh. I highly recommend these dolls.<br />
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Full accessory list:<br />
Afternoon Tea comes with three plates, four cups and saucers, a tea box, a sugar bowl, a tea pot, one tray, four spoons, four forks, four treats, three pot stickers, a purse, a gold brush, and (unpictured) a saddle stand and a pair of gold shoes.<br />
Chef and Style comes with one tray, one wok, one chopping block, a butcher's knife, strainer spoon and flipper, two bowls of rice, two small bowls, two soup spoons, a bamboo steamer basket, dim sum, basket of vegetables, and white sandles. (not pictured- gold shoes, saddle stand, and soy sauce. How did I lose the soy sauce already?)<br />
See how perfectly all the accessories go together? All dishwater is a light turquoise with small simplified drawings of blooming cherry branches. I'm glad I bought both sets.<br />
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The Wa Was have been <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2015/09/re-bodying-dolls.html">re-bodied</a> on Liv dolls to join their "adorable little cousin" Yen Yen Wa Wa, plus Mulan, to model all the outfits and new accessories in my <span style="color: blue;">Happy Modern Kitchen</span>. </div>
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<br />Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-54386411303208859152015-09-19T17:53:00.002-07:002015-10-15T15:46:31.875-07:00Re-bodying Dolls Articulated (jointed) dolls are more fun. They walk better, sit better, and are simply interesting and fun to pose.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pocahontus can't get comfortable on the couch.</td></tr>
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Re-bodying dolls is a way to combine an interesting or attractive head with a body that has better articulation.<br />
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I found helpful guidelines from "How to Play with Barbies" in the post <a href="https://playbarbies.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/custom-how-we-re-body-dolls/">How We Re-body Dolls</a>. Re-bodying is generally my first step with a new doll, before hair or re-painting.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzMkbgk-dvwKVQKXiILPZl9mKWdvo39Sgetd2fbhgovqJPiMmX9NYQDvSuYXAwSenZfkNjXC0PQF9PbrhEqa8lqg_va4XcHl-_t-7oFSVa9hCADhP43B8FerlOQCdd6mlHFGX4k2fCLk9/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzMkbgk-dvwKVQKXiILPZl9mKWdvo39Sgetd2fbhgovqJPiMmX9NYQDvSuYXAwSenZfkNjXC0PQF9PbrhEqa8lqg_va4XcHl-_t-7oFSVa9hCADhP43B8FerlOQCdd6mlHFGX4k2fCLk9/s400/DSC_0020.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Re-bodying supplies</td></tr>
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Basic summary:<br />
<ol>
<li>protect doll hair by wrapping with paper towels and a rubber band</li>
<li>warm neck joint with hair dryer</li>
<li>slowly pull head off</li>
<li>pry with tiny screwdriver if necessary</li>
</ol>
Optional first step: cut a slit in the back of reject head to remove easier. I do this with Liv doll heads.<br />
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I frequently purchase old Liv dolls and articulated Barbie dolls, like old Fashionistas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcWK4bWSXC9IXyb4twhKlJkkngS2xXQNcBm6s4XTA8gD0dqDuBOlTeYp1uiRcMOtnv5stUga89Qi_AZwwlw9qoZEsfLVnqWaylxUZMGc1LwPZE-UhyXhitjCAQDUWcKD5LIKH7WVmRSgA/s1600/DSC_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcWK4bWSXC9IXyb4twhKlJkkngS2xXQNcBm6s4XTA8gD0dqDuBOlTeYp1uiRcMOtnv5stUga89Qi_AZwwlw9qoZEsfLVnqWaylxUZMGc1LwPZE-UhyXhitjCAQDUWcKD5LIKH7WVmRSgA/s640/DSC_0022.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing with my favorite bodies</td></tr>
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I've been disappointed with most of the athlete Barbies, like gymnasts, because their hinge knees and clunky and they don't have articulated wrists. Also, look out for Liv dolls that don't have the typical articulation, like Twist 'n Dance Liv.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV2vzv9U7Uy_fDvoqX_rRSUG_Zt6EuaqUEj3FB-FY4puF3qyNzc_KYoqnYwTeeK_Jddm_hakZ3aQjpVmrTXmDnxKFMkGBralyaQlZt1b9LYjmoPumFj4Wr5ZzSv_PAHodz3q050Z3Bzxd/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV2vzv9U7Uy_fDvoqX_rRSUG_Zt6EuaqUEj3FB-FY4puF3qyNzc_KYoqnYwTeeK_Jddm_hakZ3aQjpVmrTXmDnxKFMkGBralyaQlZt1b9LYjmoPumFj4Wr5ZzSv_PAHodz3q050Z3Bzxd/s640/DSC_0023.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awkward posing with awkward articulated bodies</td></tr>
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Some drawbacks about re-bodying: while the dolls I've shown can generally share clothing, some will not fit as well. Barbie tends to have a large bust and feet sized for high heels. Liv dolls tend to have a smaller bust and wide flat feet. If a certain pair of shoes or outfit is important to the doll you are re-bodying, test the fit before switching heads.<br />
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Some heads will not fit on some bodies. I was surprised to find a unique head joint on my <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2015/05/queen-of-africa-nneka-review.html">Nneka</a> doll. I was able to compromise with a Barbie body that had a tall neck joint (left), but her head couldn't fit on the short neck joint of a Liv doll (right).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6jkuKDmKz1mgHg9b6N9NHGZX-7Myd8RXmud3GeQUNFM8qXEc_5s2XMA-K2CY_crfSS79efJQPcvD0-ELqlg9FvW6MMB8cI7wNXQMffyDjWMwGsOTMD86u2pi6miAMnX9eBU96ungdHvK/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6jkuKDmKz1mgHg9b6N9NHGZX-7Myd8RXmud3GeQUNFM8qXEc_5s2XMA-K2CY_crfSS79efJQPcvD0-ELqlg9FvW6MMB8cI7wNXQMffyDjWMwGsOTMD86u2pi6miAMnX9eBU96ungdHvK/s640/IMG_0120.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise! Never seen before neck joint!</td></tr>
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Taking off the head of a doll with a tall neck joint takes work and patience. You can see this one developed white stress marks. Cutting off the reject head first could have been helpful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIiKGqO-Qt_LM3RhWtfUZ4b2mOkxSKoEKsDFIZ4xyCwdzZzm8N4JA3tZKeS5HaEZSmUTM4wR-1wQ-hIYNNCDBoqMHfGffPfy37_QaVIy22o7ZPJ0VIcmeRXSgeP5fM8Bs4RSBPhJCsJKT/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLIiKGqO-Qt_LM3RhWtfUZ4b2mOkxSKoEKsDFIZ4xyCwdzZzm8N4JA3tZKeS5HaEZSmUTM4wR-1wQ-hIYNNCDBoqMHfGffPfy37_QaVIy22o7ZPJ0VIcmeRXSgeP5fM8Bs4RSBPhJCsJKT/s640/IMG_0119.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some dolls have neck openings too small to fit a Barbie or Liv body. I found that a Moxie Girlz fit perfectly on a <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2015/06/dollar-store-knock-offs-pippa-and-alice.html">Fairy Tale High </a>/ Winx body. But my Sparkle Girlz head was slightly too large.<br />
(A note on removing the FTH/Winx head: just heat, yank off, and hope for the best. Twisting and bending will definitely destroy the tiny neck joint.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqsylJNiTQtX0ZgRsQ-INoOAt026GgUaKezF76RoL_5R9ueAB864Y9UGzWhvZMS57UICWyQMk36fmgW1XRqr1ROElBnbSFdsZBcTWnq7FuhBcA4IveZg-qJvhH_hC0XHu9uO6sKv0Biho/s1600/DSC_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqsylJNiTQtX0ZgRsQ-INoOAt026GgUaKezF76RoL_5R9ueAB864Y9UGzWhvZMS57UICWyQMk36fmgW1XRqr1ROElBnbSFdsZBcTWnq7FuhBcA4IveZg-qJvhH_hC0XHu9uO6sKv0Biho/s640/DSC_0034.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Moxie, Right: Floppy headed Sparklez </td></tr>
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Since my go-to body is Liv, I tried that next.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidSSoF0uQwnfMqt8IezKG25jTgskss7up6Q4vFFYLiXcddTJAuykcoUa2Cef0Apbh1ELgZ0ZjEE_2C_s9BjPyUTAZw9m7KLp5Z1s-ODtlT2dLxRxAo1OeTwTagkl9swqsA3oGEAjH7GA3/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidSSoF0uQwnfMqt8IezKG25jTgskss7up6Q4vFFYLiXcddTJAuykcoUa2Cef0Apbh1ELgZ0ZjEE_2C_s9BjPyUTAZw9m7KLp5Z1s-ODtlT2dLxRxAo1OeTwTagkl9swqsA3oGEAjH7GA3/s640/DSC_0028.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what? Just having a spa day, waiting for a new head.</td></tr>
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But, the Liv neck was slightly too large. So, don't re-body your Sparkle girl! Too bad I broke her neck joint on her original body...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mds8RbO_pnudKx5omQY9Le5XkfvQ7g4-zPF_gEupeQCd5MZ6ckt8xn1FpVdXfiRe8AZqDea_bw-EIuDJ5J7fjFTnItZl7y5n6yHkQxbtZ88pVMjWj7Yni2CQEp9Msste3zHoFOvMnzx5/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1mds8RbO_pnudKx5omQY9Le5XkfvQ7g4-zPF_gEupeQCd5MZ6ckt8xn1FpVdXfiRe8AZqDea_bw-EIuDJ5J7fjFTnItZl7y5n6yHkQxbtZ88pVMjWj7Yni2CQEp9Msste3zHoFOvMnzx5/s640/DSC_0031.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can't... cram... it on!</td></tr>
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I haven't seen a lot of information on re-bodying Ken dolls, so I will cover that in more detail. To my knowledge, there has only been one great articulated Ken, in the old Fashionista series. Additionally, sometimes random dolls have some joints, and of course G. I. Joe is highly articulated. I had a lucky weekend at the thrift store:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXgXFPxhpTCaQvtuHi3Z7-KMg13VhEgaNIs6XauhyphenhyphenEvRSJpeiUTcA0Pon61g9kK9h9HVQvi4w-07D6dbbmtsDDkclT2dgqHyB7imwP49BC1Fre8DEU7IAWX5FVLfvs7Xz9a8aB2xdpKH9/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXgXFPxhpTCaQvtuHi3Z7-KMg13VhEgaNIs6XauhyphenhyphenEvRSJpeiUTcA0Pon61g9kK9h9HVQvi4w-07D6dbbmtsDDkclT2dgqHyB7imwP49BC1Fre8DEU7IAWX5FVLfvs7Xz9a8aB2xdpKH9/s640/DSC_0002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three old Fashionista Kens, One teen singing doll, one G.I. Joe<br />
Singing doll may be going back to the thrift store...</td></tr>
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I found that re-bodying Ken works well when they are both recent Mattel dolls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDveVBIOtB2XcMsUTH5OACUrVio_cDDPen14Eq78jbTnbGgcIVL4EJ13MQD0qqkCuIDdDwXBTwHwkV3lvDSmUa7ZFzvPSd2_EbI2g2uhhkgl_TyBeuVgoW4RxHS88HoQgf2nSTxI5NTzp/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXDveVBIOtB2XcMsUTH5OACUrVio_cDDPen14Eq78jbTnbGgcIVL4EJ13MQD0qqkCuIDdDwXBTwHwkV3lvDSmUa7ZFzvPSd2_EbI2g2uhhkgl_TyBeuVgoW4RxHS88HoQgf2nSTxI5NTzp/s640/DSC_0009.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old fashionista vs. New fasionista </td></tr>
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Both heads came off easily after being heated by the hair dryer, and the neck joints looked similar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENBfaeeHBgmB9nInejjLNom4FIV3rGMNeZ3hBcz38RXGqam9P4uZrIu6Rqteb8TDQ-eFrp1KFROgpDElQbKdllGj1n3yzfrMHNAlUzTPoIqJ9eYNnnVbO1fPuGLiPjs6bEGjL1PS9pDiF/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENBfaeeHBgmB9nInejjLNom4FIV3rGMNeZ3hBcz38RXGqam9P4uZrIu6Rqteb8TDQ-eFrp1KFROgpDElQbKdllGj1n3yzfrMHNAlUzTPoIqJ9eYNnnVbO1fPuGLiPjs6bEGjL1PS9pDiF/s640/DSC_0010.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Care to trade?</td></tr>
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The swap went perfectly! Now I had a unique brunette male doll who can move around rather than sticking a single pose.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW8aMFE2sW24xmiWymd4AfhJ8ObHMbX5qu0UpyCwa9hF5R9AYhHXdEiK7XlvchahH07GeASizv2t4BWxu27DPGNj7N3qJOP17MzeP3BFkaXCBp9fM2nI-idcX5wywhfpSazSnerUFl9YC/s1600/DSC_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNW8aMFE2sW24xmiWymd4AfhJ8ObHMbX5qu0UpyCwa9hF5R9AYhHXdEiK7XlvchahH07GeASizv2t4BWxu27DPGNj7N3qJOP17MzeP3BFkaXCBp9fM2nI-idcX5wywhfpSazSnerUFl9YC/s640/DSC_0014.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I make this look good.</td></tr>
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Emboldened by my success, I attempted to re-body my favorite head, a Disney doll. (I think he's the Beast after he becomes human.) A bad surprise awaited me:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWA9w3-llTGY87BJn7kKD9mQMHUQOJnJxJLVLjDAqykA2auAyEP4VCjPV5nyqyKfull2EgRGMuHyPtD5qkqYC5O_x5RZe1auxizMZEtK9y9LuckwKaJfX-_xNOmYqY5mx4fttfVCXfT9z/s1600/DSC_0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWA9w3-llTGY87BJn7kKD9mQMHUQOJnJxJLVLjDAqykA2auAyEP4VCjPV5nyqyKfull2EgRGMuHyPtD5qkqYC5O_x5RZe1auxizMZEtK9y9LuckwKaJfX-_xNOmYqY5mx4fttfVCXfT9z/s640/DSC_0016.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not compatible!</td></tr>
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Two completely different neck types. I should have realized something was wrong; my Disney doll doesn't have up/down movement on his neck joint, only rotational.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvd22sUBcU-5LcRQy4gVm4wk2htZHMaJZ9DaW6dfAmi-Z4GEEYgSlLNDzOkxk1u_MiFYdZYUpM6CjPASX0UbYSQXHyihlqWj3_HPWWUGFYhkuc7K_3fvgvCBFAANKpy9zqUc1XRXRmwzM/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvd22sUBcU-5LcRQy4gVm4wk2htZHMaJZ9DaW6dfAmi-Z4GEEYgSlLNDzOkxk1u_MiFYdZYUpM6CjPASX0UbYSQXHyihlqWj3_HPWWUGFYhkuc7K_3fvgvCBFAANKpy9zqUc1XRXRmwzM/s640/DSC_0019.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In electrical work, you'd call one of these male and one female.</td></tr>
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I made a desperate attempt to surgically alter my favorite head to fit, but all I did was destroy it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBhJpDNkmuMoRcxTANrSqR_R8wpamL7mrM44iJCc4AKPzDu1c51TXMQspL3Hvf-LQkKI6d2ScKwVXw0s7TDKtS71HfAELVABIuIulvJju1_Jg2N2I-13Q_UaXxvYyS_HWLwrbPGV0xuLM/s1600/DSC_0041+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBhJpDNkmuMoRcxTANrSqR_R8wpamL7mrM44iJCc4AKPzDu1c51TXMQspL3Hvf-LQkKI6d2ScKwVXw0s7TDKtS71HfAELVABIuIulvJju1_Jg2N2I-13Q_UaXxvYyS_HWLwrbPGV0xuLM/s640/DSC_0041+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Throat transplant gone wrong.</td></tr>
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I also found that both of my singing dolls have strange neck joins, and my 80's Ken has a joint that doesn't match anyone else's. So, I'm at a dead end with the male dolls for now but will hopefully find some more good heads in the future, and a solution for poor Beast. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_bVKkbBsUKuiTMbCrL7EjP6pOsa5xE5NFSnxAHV0t3y3diCf7rEOvUiypQ2PWeZ6rJapiQTUENOjfCh3RJUgzntj_RDyaIyC-MvAI3qiqBpFSO0lwou5aX5Jpbn5D293lMQSMmfS1FZU/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_bVKkbBsUKuiTMbCrL7EjP6pOsa5xE5NFSnxAHV0t3y3diCf7rEOvUiypQ2PWeZ6rJapiQTUENOjfCh3RJUgzntj_RDyaIyC-MvAI3qiqBpFSO0lwou5aX5Jpbn5D293lMQSMmfS1FZU/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeISnAIHAUCPhLIiFtT42qOmXGaGIeBFfPC947C8TbX_8nY7TmWu6ndPDpkAtUluJ1Wgu0SAmgmPiNtmrjwpdiIHcwzEVbIiZXWr0RiSDOlw30gKEUKaK4fbzd2KGUx7tx6ICiSzwMS4iy/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeISnAIHAUCPhLIiFtT42qOmXGaGIeBFfPC947C8TbX_8nY7TmWu6ndPDpkAtUluJ1Wgu0SAmgmPiNtmrjwpdiIHcwzEVbIiZXWr0RiSDOlw30gKEUKaK4fbzd2KGUx7tx6ICiSzwMS4iy/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Nevertheless, re-bodying my dolls has brought a lot of fun and interest to my collection. Give it a try.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUKyGlDOXUkuPZOhtTmTqexKiec079EsgfezCJH90rGxnX7qIiWjC5WgggppDWKecSB_WTF4uqPDo_U3F5qUneQgSqsQmeA0L73EiIGi03K938RgOg3MFSR9ujPhAaSu2OwDYSnEGTEzo/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUKyGlDOXUkuPZOhtTmTqexKiec079EsgfezCJH90rGxnX7qIiWjC5WgggppDWKecSB_WTF4uqPDo_U3F5qUneQgSqsQmeA0L73EiIGi03K938RgOg3MFSR9ujPhAaSu2OwDYSnEGTEzo/s640/DSC_0042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doll Dance Party!</td></tr>
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<br />Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-57252376351453080442015-09-19T12:11:00.000-07:002015-09-19T13:47:33.890-07:00Sparkle Girlz Clothes Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The best thing to happen to Barbie recently isn't made by Mattel- it's Sparkle Girlz clothes, by Funville. They can be found at Walmart, generally $2 per outfit. They usually come with a purse and shoes that are unremarkable.</div>
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These outfits fit Barbie-sized dolls well. They are too large for Monster High sized dolls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hP-z2FtRRPxERQ5VtS7ZFaDJM9D895-bMjMiQTxiwARZz80MsZcNVII_I0vmfioQokyUAJkkbXbPK-lNE4QLGQU5yxH2FqkqMWZzOVmHpgF8G0lOxJN2E5Fk8bZ47vbSnOwTBuhGoB-k/s1600/IMG_3925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hP-z2FtRRPxERQ5VtS7ZFaDJM9D895-bMjMiQTxiwARZz80MsZcNVII_I0vmfioQokyUAJkkbXbPK-lNE4QLGQU5yxH2FqkqMWZzOVmHpgF8G0lOxJN2E5Fk8bZ47vbSnOwTBuhGoB-k/s320/IMG_3925.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76uzeBiSU6mpOiZNPsbHbykaarqL8WCiPktsZHBnfVR0_3KDq85r6yt_QNrYGy7aZqJZKh7rHT8bGEe25YX_AxyPyHFmwrdIErzj_ATjXlgQC1Amj_XrrmBuTVGg1fEyDXBVUR3LaY4BW/s1600/IMG_3927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76uzeBiSU6mpOiZNPsbHbykaarqL8WCiPktsZHBnfVR0_3KDq85r6yt_QNrYGy7aZqJZKh7rHT8bGEe25YX_AxyPyHFmwrdIErzj_ATjXlgQC1Amj_XrrmBuTVGg1fEyDXBVUR3LaY4BW/s320/IMG_3927.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Hmm, this is the first time I've noticed that the feet are sized in the opposite way- Barbie's feet are tiny!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikyoR1aife2-WjKYOkS3LLWlNLDvCN5KpAKhpfTLyq0ptgzMj1Q3T8sX9jOb8ebsccmyDwpanqpbA84XCrVabmRpGQpydsWxwkHMNvXm4DgFuG3TEvM8jxIxPD8K_s1OIur7u_8xIYNiL/s1600/IMG_3929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikyoR1aife2-WjKYOkS3LLWlNLDvCN5KpAKhpfTLyq0ptgzMj1Q3T8sX9jOb8ebsccmyDwpanqpbA84XCrVabmRpGQpydsWxwkHMNvXm4DgFuG3TEvM8jxIxPD8K_s1OIur7u_8xIYNiL/s320/IMG_3929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At first, I was hesitant about these clothes. Many of them have a 2-dimensional design- very flat front and back. Mulan's skirt is extra shapeless in this picture, but I like the outfit for rock 'n roll potential. I wish the outfit on the right was in two parts for mix and match potential, but nope.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-yWzWKSceWCvYrtnO6uxfAO9LUmXccCZJyQe8AfyBvhKkaYSj3BlSCgRPhuFXh8hMvbYOX6oDtWRXf3tppWKpOMmGTPkYnsjFPhsbGaMm5NBleYBxXfp3G6Tm_F1Jm3had2_3Rvt-BpU/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-yWzWKSceWCvYrtnO6uxfAO9LUmXccCZJyQe8AfyBvhKkaYSj3BlSCgRPhuFXh8hMvbYOX6oDtWRXf3tppWKpOMmGTPkYnsjFPhsbGaMm5NBleYBxXfp3G6Tm_F1Jm3had2_3Rvt-BpU/s640/DSC_0036.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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However, many outfits have more depth and design.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-wKZz1hyphenhyphen1fZ2Ue0OA3x27O-MVJ0725BKP5tMvWFVion_QsKPtlXWWYH_VGmn-zerWqkEFa0RlV-actwIN8-cTuZ6mrHOMbhYFWVco3GpJXTWSP9EBKRq89DxjS19bGaOdx6UitJ6ByEB/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-wKZz1hyphenhyphen1fZ2Ue0OA3x27O-MVJ0725BKP5tMvWFVion_QsKPtlXWWYH_VGmn-zerWqkEFa0RlV-actwIN8-cTuZ6mrHOMbhYFWVco3GpJXTWSP9EBKRq89DxjS19bGaOdx6UitJ6ByEB/s640/DSC_0039.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Several didn't interest me. Like Mattel, Sparkle Girlz thinks that single shoulder outfits are trendy. I can't figure out why. Seems like 80s to me. I also rejected some outfits where the top and bottom are sewn together, even though they would be so much better separate!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfApGOrFQlhtzYCXiWnPhK504rg_pzgKufr6yqm3BSi-e8COKzyqikRuVX7-f8djh2mOog1U9yPbUTWYyZJat0koURH14b60Y43dha5gPTNoEiiQYVLAvgbk61inB9GfVypxR_feu9Qgg/s1600/IMG_4260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfApGOrFQlhtzYCXiWnPhK504rg_pzgKufr6yqm3BSi-e8COKzyqikRuVX7-f8djh2mOog1U9yPbUTWYyZJat0koURH14b60Y43dha5gPTNoEiiQYVLAvgbk61inB9GfVypxR_feu9Qgg/s640/IMG_4260.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some of the outfits are odd, but can make nice pieces for mix and match. I bought this center outfit below because of the great shorts. (Blair models this shorts with a swimsuit underneath on <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2015/06/outdoor-photography-fun-and-tips.html">this post</a>.) The bra-like top seemed a little strange, but might look nice somewhere else. Paired with the white shorts on left, it could be a cute underwear outfit. The far right doll (an actual Sparkle Girl) models another bra-like top, but adding a jacket created a more realistic outfit. She's also wearing the shorts from the first outfit, which became a versatile piece.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyHHEXoVawxBuhaps7LLcblDS6Fdb2p0t7ije6IIeH8hjcRD7doutczju6QEc8xQzXFQsX19uwKewmVdLUGHxDDN20RN3ZW5Dw9AKEhEfe96RvFDhdl3V-op3bIIg3pd4LfREykK5xLbp/s1600/DSC_0043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyHHEXoVawxBuhaps7LLcblDS6Fdb2p0t7ije6IIeH8hjcRD7doutczju6QEc8xQzXFQsX19uwKewmVdLUGHxDDN20RN3ZW5Dw9AKEhEfe96RvFDhdl3V-op3bIIg3pd4LfREykK5xLbp/s640/DSC_0043.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yay, new clothes!</td></tr>
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Incidentally, the Sparkle girl is a nice doll. I'd recommend her as a cheaper alternative to Barbie if you don't care about articulation. Personally, I'm looking to re-body her.<br />
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Sparkle Girls outfits have a wide variety, from things moms wear to things teens wear.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4-TJmtWMnVdtiJ6mRfGkMHIgmX8YowJyQGuoYcfApB0EA1TAY-JG_diJXgT7OGD2zgS6ew7qZqn5nqWmxGMUCkPM6cb7uSxPK5v1_U6JK0gqSXMPiz6OMigdiUSoxYlAIEAqqAsB2REV/s1600/DSC_0042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4-TJmtWMnVdtiJ6mRfGkMHIgmX8YowJyQGuoYcfApB0EA1TAY-JG_diJXgT7OGD2zgS6ew7qZqn5nqWmxGMUCkPM6cb7uSxPK5v1_U6JK0gqSXMPiz6OMigdiUSoxYlAIEAqqAsB2REV/s640/DSC_0042.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Check them out!<br />
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<br />Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-4920957470697849112015-06-23T14:00:00.002-07:002015-09-19T11:15:51.552-07:00Outdoor Photography - Fun and Tips<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyj6_RGiSD0Z4TJ8bpwgTNmjY-FzJHU8wqp6TuIfiuivdXGkz2bpBwLiVwBgNMSi4uNPTs_JYgF5Vk45vVGJHJuTCSmNTkpl8ukY3KCRvYzKEtfQsuDcg-yiynz5nIxoRd7DI8L38iggM/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyj6_RGiSD0Z4TJ8bpwgTNmjY-FzJHU8wqp6TuIfiuivdXGkz2bpBwLiVwBgNMSi4uNPTs_JYgF5Vk45vVGJHJuTCSmNTkpl8ukY3KCRvYzKEtfQsuDcg-yiynz5nIxoRd7DI8L38iggM/s640/DSC_0004.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Cleo is so photogenic. She looks good anywhere, but I liked this tree as a background texture that is detailed but not distracting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUEv8Yoip9S9XuoSc7fhHv00hPxDC5LVGHBUSiv6Om7G5FXZ0kB8paKwBJ6AoB8ocA6_06X1_K5GvYT4aJ7cJ9aDc0WYuVWvOFPILnL94BXQ6sFyGxCT0rEbRrkcBQ5ugoHGJ7zIxujWo/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUEv8Yoip9S9XuoSc7fhHv00hPxDC5LVGHBUSiv6Om7G5FXZ0kB8paKwBJ6AoB8ocA6_06X1_K5GvYT4aJ7cJ9aDc0WYuVWvOFPILnL94BXQ6sFyGxCT0rEbRrkcBQ5ugoHGJ7zIxujWo/s400/DSC_0002.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
Cleo is a fancy girl and not fully comfortable in the outdoors.<br />
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But my Lammily doll, Margot, loves nature! Margot is not as posable as the Monster High ghouls, but some height shows her adventurous personality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHK3FFOGS5BcvO2ej8WH1QBIn0p-l1TiLnOEXqpkOdt0WUdApaN4s-3nSEdaRx4N8CuyfHdkwI8dAaDYvgIvGuK5EJC5ik-Z8oJI5APkxA20slZQmJ_eDeaGa142wpd286jCMpW0K5Ch9U/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHK3FFOGS5BcvO2ej8WH1QBIn0p-l1TiLnOEXqpkOdt0WUdApaN4s-3nSEdaRx4N8CuyfHdkwI8dAaDYvgIvGuK5EJC5ik-Z8oJI5APkxA20slZQmJ_eDeaGa142wpd286jCMpW0K5Ch9U/s400/DSC_0013.jpg" width="266" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Xlob65sgNMnE7RN7jVq59RJ4bX8VFMxmCAMTNN_SwnViRzABWhw2H0GgSO1IAnpumkZgv6iFkRZGY2D0CUQl64tnEg2KeSKcLUo543xfV6AG9cWIc5852rHl1_BXLIoFieKNqQA1nBb_/s1600/DSC_0018.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Xlob65sgNMnE7RN7jVq59RJ4bX8VFMxmCAMTNN_SwnViRzABWhw2H0GgSO1IAnpumkZgv6iFkRZGY2D0CUQl64tnEg2KeSKcLUo543xfV6AG9cWIc5852rHl1_BXLIoFieKNqQA1nBb_/s400/DSC_0018.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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Best friends Birdie and Hester watch the sun set over the lake. They enjoy their new Liv bodies and dancing freedom. (Check out my post on re-bodying dolls.) Sometimes you don't notice a mistake until looking at the photos later, like Hester's unnaturally bent foot. </div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMcMpC73ae2bwFr93jBZfT8819E9ci8vqHLVf5BAccb9RYJonzIS3C2NqOqDOo2M58Udc_UBykEwF-R3kA4hC6pX7DYQ5A-lmjc8iuV9P5cLDrNgs36EiGwvnzjDUBW4sQWROl1Yxrcmk/s400/DSC_0024.jpg" width="266" /> <img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X6NGvbnKcBIuVAUb5qiRtFdpQcggqnjFBjOuaUOrNPW5COHtUd-rAzrjZiEjaU-nHZSuyapyb_YM4Yj4cLW2M9rYOulNuX6LPPzPGdIHPevp9o87npF9K10C0NvrAr2xoMPrJvpVhWoh/s400/DSC_0037.jpg" width="266" /></div>
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Duchess is going to model some lighting problems while she dances in the flowers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXN7ZmChK0CvAXIqBi9ElE4yLOMVtsgNpoEb2ExVwUV0mkokXKExHnM4Pc_7nJBQ4kDizY-gPSxuJ0Dt24iScUnBm1ytLL811aqyIgDK-fHc4dLxGmFUsMJS9YkYpXoDmUB_BM8vXUUkQ/s1600/DSC_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXN7ZmChK0CvAXIqBi9ElE4yLOMVtsgNpoEb2ExVwUV0mkokXKExHnM4Pc_7nJBQ4kDizY-gPSxuJ0Dt24iScUnBm1ytLL811aqyIgDK-fHc4dLxGmFUsMJS9YkYpXoDmUB_BM8vXUUkQ/s640/DSC_0045.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple everywhere</td></tr>
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This set of photos was taken in the middle of the day, not the ideal time. Photographers prefer morning or evening, when the light is dispersed and golden. Noon photos risk getting raccoon eyes, or in the case of Duchess, a shadow beard. One solution is to take photos in the shade, but this can create too much contrast if your background is in the sunlight. Also, using the flash outdoors can even out unwanted shadows.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five o'clock shadow</td></tr>
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<a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2015/05/queen-of-africa-nneka-review.html">Nneka</a> is going for a stroll. She is visually centered between greenery, soil, and human-made structures. I like seeing her red outfit contrast with the different colors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijesHvLb-ZeRJkTX355ArEPWcMgKkoof2c-yAmiLv64mY2Ifxa7mK84-TMiCy0byqul60zNQl1IZp-E-eakUlJcWT4ZwglrToW2g3sdW2zSEL9kh-PPFiYPOGYygANYvYEiTAEkoo1HWTk/s1600/DSC_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijesHvLb-ZeRJkTX355ArEPWcMgKkoof2c-yAmiLv64mY2Ifxa7mK84-TMiCy0byqul60zNQl1IZp-E-eakUlJcWT4ZwglrToW2g3sdW2zSEL9kh-PPFiYPOGYygANYvYEiTAEkoo1HWTk/s640/DSC_0052.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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Some doll photographers may want to create a deceiving sense of scale. I don't mind that my dolls are doll sized and explore the world that way. However, a dynamic angle makes the difference between realism and kid's toys. Below left, Blair and Birdie interact with the flowers. The same scene on the right is uninteresting because the angle is too high. I shoot from their eye level or below, generally.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbAOtb6qLO0o3UI1JQsW9RpNc5Li6rLw1hFE1OnNJ-wQjaIXaH_Pp19i0ow8J8tyBBfXXDUvC9btoYPijJgmW0gqs2RY1JSsussMxIWNcxt4BJc3-VTcBGvCoGKRRtMDggjmtFtU1LNdMI/s400/DSC_0067.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT92hyphenhyphenQsKzTcQZvQQnrlFGZ8WhmiYvcvtyE-gVsymIOoXGaDDAfsGcenrQL87_9YT6YaOF0Dsi7UtEOVgYpA5vod7sk94Hux0V_zTlrzlUYSH2rhoZF8Nmk8fZYU53kymJLZfIHlJqeTvw/s1600/DSC_0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT92hyphenhyphenQsKzTcQZvQQnrlFGZ8WhmiYvcvtyE-gVsymIOoXGaDDAfsGcenrQL87_9YT6YaOF0Dsi7UtEOVgYpA5vod7sk94Hux0V_zTlrzlUYSH2rhoZF8Nmk8fZYU53kymJLZfIHlJqeTvw/s400/DSC_0075.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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If you want to confuse the viewer's sense of scale, a low angle and some distance from the background will help. Cleo is queen of the road. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-1BgQ1bCY9HSRAbJMmVPhfoOK7rLbIOBd3uhrPwyvAwSOzslvv0Ir772uzNXP_EWwOGhN9QIE0KCsjY2VfJd5V_oJZhbmqKiH4Q9eQNzCIhoV1MuPswY7JafIA5cUkVBNzOksGSAAwQX/s1600/DSC_0067+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-1BgQ1bCY9HSRAbJMmVPhfoOK7rLbIOBd3uhrPwyvAwSOzslvv0Ir772uzNXP_EWwOGhN9QIE0KCsjY2VfJd5V_oJZhbmqKiH4Q9eQNzCIhoV1MuPswY7JafIA5cUkVBNzOksGSAAwQX/s640/DSC_0067+2.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">see ya!</td></tr>
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Skelita is enjoying the flowers today too. She has a high contrast between her white bones and black hair. I didn't mind the shadows so much with her because they added drama. She picked some red flowers for more contrast. They also match her lipstick.</div>
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Robecca couldn't find an outdoor pose she liked, so we somehow ended up with the pipes, vents, and gritty linoleum. This room had two windows and lots of even, natural light, so it mimicked outdoor photography.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho55dViUY-bTSw71pXddCWYEu6A4BGSlbRflfIdlEtSwA-LTal0com0mvKUnDImg6KailZ6RL2Ykzz_Mm0wfr1gbnZpYX0rS4AMLHl-xdqTu8DQX91Jo7qjJKXyANVIKpDTpvsIa80Dd-U/s1600/DSC_0144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho55dViUY-bTSw71pXddCWYEu6A4BGSlbRflfIdlEtSwA-LTal0com0mvKUnDImg6KailZ6RL2Ykzz_Mm0wfr1gbnZpYX0rS4AMLHl-xdqTu8DQX91Jo7qjJKXyANVIKpDTpvsIa80Dd-U/s640/DSC_0144.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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What other tips help you out? Do you like indoor or outdoor photography better?</div>
<br />Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-26597353195625297962015-06-23T13:52:00.002-07:002015-09-19T18:14:28.763-07:00Dollar Store Knock-Offs: Pippa and Alice Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Inspired by <a href="http://limbedolls.blogspot.com/2012/10/cheap-thrills.html">Limbe Dolls</a>, I've been giving dollar store dolls a try. In Washington, we seem to only have Dollar Tree, but on vacation I spent some time at Family Dollar and Dollar General. They sell two knock-off dolls, Alice of "Fairy Tale High" and Pippa of "Midnight Magic," imitating Ever After High and Monster High respectively. Their prices are shown boldly on their boxes, $10 and $5. (Update: I have since learned that Fairy Tale high did not originally sell for this price, and is still available for inflated prices on Amazon. Don't do it!)</div>
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<h3>
Midnight Magic </h3>
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Midnight Magic doesn't seem to have much in common, storyline wise, with Monster High. The back of the box tells a confusing tale. Pippa and her three friends are dimension-hopping, zombie-hunting superhero princesses attending high school. Pippa has telepathic powers to control animals. I'm not sure why they didn't pick one storyline instead of five.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLhQ5aoFRDTU2-CCrS7u3mfagoaGW5cwxdcOjig1jMhaFW7ffH0doy5mvukJla3yFWOsuSRpipLvvnvbR2LXR8IpwkfSTjuTYHzmIXmSYbhvShfxXqjmC3zw19b4w3DapLOTddhxbR-fK/s1600/DSC_0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLhQ5aoFRDTU2-CCrS7u3mfagoaGW5cwxdcOjig1jMhaFW7ffH0doy5mvukJla3yFWOsuSRpipLvvnvbR2LXR8IpwkfSTjuTYHzmIXmSYbhvShfxXqjmC3zw19b4w3DapLOTddhxbR-fK/s400/DSC_0099.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl-UZ71VsOkZaDMkAi8vDJibWkfVTlswkIjAiy_3YTRrquXVGnbKZq4MkXG3HHC2Gd5XG97VGR4mvGcbuj-wrF1-T8XfIzJI6TJDqf404My1bCSsyg-VyD7z-Qh5S4uIHvBjzbQmvHU2P/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWl-UZ71VsOkZaDMkAi8vDJibWkfVTlswkIjAiy_3YTRrquXVGnbKZq4MkXG3HHC2Gd5XG97VGR4mvGcbuj-wrF1-T8XfIzJI6TJDqf404My1bCSsyg-VyD7z-Qh5S4uIHvBjzbQmvHU2P/s400/DSC_0096.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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Pippa has gray skin, black hair, and green and red makeup. She wears a long dress which I found pretty, but the material is stiff and unpleasant to touch. The long gray boots are light weight plastic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7exYW8BfZFTCbJH0IqYo4ZTOpEUTEJ4AKOFdnBwfe19iL2UwPAa6TGP5kqx4hkS5ttOrxmB-_2SzuI4TkDDClMLZMbgLhpZsCXGgivBIibr1VY2aAOGgE0WhIyyf0GAOS4iqeedLgJrU/s1600/DSC_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm7exYW8BfZFTCbJH0IqYo4ZTOpEUTEJ4AKOFdnBwfe19iL2UwPAa6TGP5kqx4hkS5ttOrxmB-_2SzuI4TkDDClMLZMbgLhpZsCXGgivBIibr1VY2aAOGgE0WhIyyf0GAOS4iqeedLgJrU/s320/DSC_0101.jpg" width="212" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1JJK-gfUJBuonIehFQGTqcYavHV5jH3JT6yKxS7ntKB23QhOSt5k01L5mePWELyLX4UyDCGBUoFBCCpTH5AbSzW9FgpuA08CeL9-_Lt3xrXuM7nYX6zYWZNUF3Z46SM_fBGV3nEtDMic/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1JJK-gfUJBuonIehFQGTqcYavHV5jH3JT6yKxS7ntKB23QhOSt5k01L5mePWELyLX4UyDCGBUoFBCCpTH5AbSzW9FgpuA08CeL9-_Lt3xrXuM7nYX6zYWZNUF3Z46SM_fBGV3nEtDMic/s320/DSC_0102.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Naked, Pippa is startling. Her breasts seem a little intense for a kid's toy. (In later comparison, I realized she's shaped more like the big sister body in the Monster High line than the ghouls still in high school.) Also, she only has click joints in her knees, a big disappointment. Pippa's wrists can spin, but not bend. If there were only one option, I'd prefer bending.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrSiqMQD7dflQLd8g-vJwM9LClYLSFGTEG4Y0BdZd0oz093o-cWeEGOyyv8F9vLYEUS6XeEN0AFmXVuKWS796nvF-OsjEeATlRHS3c4LjHDm22ES5Jbg3aUEtcbw54LZpqtKDiicZecDE/s1600/DSC_0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrSiqMQD7dflQLd8g-vJwM9LClYLSFGTEG4Y0BdZd0oz093o-cWeEGOyyv8F9vLYEUS6XeEN0AFmXVuKWS796nvF-OsjEeATlRHS3c4LjHDm22ES5Jbg3aUEtcbw54LZpqtKDiicZecDE/s320/DSC_0103.jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_rhL_1GrglO6KFWM4epVGIqbt9AAmtD6QOAnLtMYlXqqJrAnHpTQVdMOvb3tmKWPAACPg8R0KX7CTcOQo4cwgqav7f8ltd7WZYCMVhxZ5seS7tl9Tv5s3VPH4DDlmwAvGhOxiw5o7gY5/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_rhL_1GrglO6KFWM4epVGIqbt9AAmtD6QOAnLtMYlXqqJrAnHpTQVdMOvb3tmKWPAACPg8R0KX7CTcOQo4cwgqav7f8ltd7WZYCMVhxZ5seS7tl9Tv5s3VPH4DDlmwAvGhOxiw5o7gY5/s320/DSC_0104.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Pippa with Cleo and Lagoona. She's noticeabley taller, but has copied their basic shape with the swayback and hip shape. Pippa's forehead protrudes for a different head shape than the ghouls. This comparison also highlighted the problems with her skin tone. I'm not a fan of inhuman skin tones, but Lagoona looks much nicer than Pippa. She has a little sparkle, a little bit of warmth to the cool gray blue. But Pippa's gray skin just looks dead. (Perhaps she has been infected by the zombies she was fighting?) Overall, I regret the $5 and would not recommend.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj264guLSFeVCpp1-M4GKM4nNmwpsVtqKGljiaR2Wm11be_NtsTOTYF3c2-I7nGO_-JoyCPGtRntw4GagZuetAWN9ZgZL12A9XJIwullVNh6QZJeG3xcHxwdvJ0bZv349LOtAGje1gCI5-P/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj264guLSFeVCpp1-M4GKM4nNmwpsVtqKGljiaR2Wm11be_NtsTOTYF3c2-I7nGO_-JoyCPGtRntw4GagZuetAWN9ZgZL12A9XJIwullVNh6QZJeG3xcHxwdvJ0bZv349LOtAGje1gCI5-P/s640/DSC_0003.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye, Pippa!</td></tr>
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<h3>
Fairy Tale High</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMyiAytnKoFKrRekMLCLEIhSP6BObgARRHLy75tPK_KeOHX3RKEL2A5zPCvrE_Xta0IlphrWsXfJ4XNyy-_GZACiSIfpYxtytvuSwNrZBTlRB8UNcxTMPGV_6-PK2oILZK69uE8m8Ynm7/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMyiAytnKoFKrRekMLCLEIhSP6BObgARRHLy75tPK_KeOHX3RKEL2A5zPCvrE_Xta0IlphrWsXfJ4XNyy-_GZACiSIfpYxtytvuSwNrZBTlRB8UNcxTMPGV_6-PK2oILZK69uE8m8Ynm7/s400/DSC_0107.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdSmhESabkFLvNVMXzLtN6Ezh_khd0vRUni8WJVUr_xBuANubyVDJh9v1q2qbR4-RFK5D2Ul7B9IhmYBAjrl6u9Kxhvao2t-tHSonFEbO3RurQGO73VdbNDzbU0lP6ViTkv-jh4SS0rl3/s1600/DSC_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdSmhESabkFLvNVMXzLtN6Ezh_khd0vRUni8WJVUr_xBuANubyVDJh9v1q2qbR4-RFK5D2Ul7B9IhmYBAjrl6u9Kxhvao2t-tHSonFEbO3RurQGO73VdbNDzbU0lP6ViTkv-jh4SS0rl3/s400/DSC_0109.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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Alice was a better choice. She represents her Wonderland story with deck of cards symbols on her vest (which I tossed fairly quickly). I have some ideas to modify her outfit- a sweater dress? Just a long sleeved shirt would be better. Alice also comes with a nice red bracelet and fantastic red shoes, which are the highlight of the ensemble. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFlKD6SkOJZi28Mey44dVAduJnG2_-0oM8-zn7hXSBRuOPyuDh0U6SNBwQ2h3eREjMKj1xAoQaVaXLor2pESPBbA25eMg0neHHlW-szsFNC7ZMdW27T2mksahofmhlN0AX6l0wqOXk4XW/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFlKD6SkOJZi28Mey44dVAduJnG2_-0oM8-zn7hXSBRuOPyuDh0U6SNBwQ2h3eREjMKj1xAoQaVaXLor2pESPBbA25eMg0neHHlW-szsFNC7ZMdW27T2mksahofmhlN0AX6l0wqOXk4XW/s400/DSC_0006.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5gtzhbpQI97CELXnXwxGKlU3lcsa2LjC5SzJwWr0H9emCgdxMc40-cnIqbxQh0NyDBi9LkfKICuoK-iUu7JQ1qOjekboLpxsF9e6xgFF6oz4RjCKP-FVUCL6vQMOLUlVMGRQfwz5U1Ka/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5gtzhbpQI97CELXnXwxGKlU3lcsa2LjC5SzJwWr0H9emCgdxMc40-cnIqbxQh0NyDBi9LkfKICuoK-iUu7JQ1qOjekboLpxsF9e6xgFF6oz4RjCKP-FVUCL6vQMOLUlVMGRQfwz5U1Ka/s400/DSC_0108.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Alice has long, pale blond hair. The rooting seem iffy from the packaging, but a boil wash will help. My biggest immedient problem with Alice is her terrifying makeup. Blue lipstick implies suffocation, maybe drowning. When you add blue eyes and blue eyeshadow, it's too much. She's a bit smirky, so perhaps she's a teen rebel. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z5eN-ASbtgHf9r8qT9bLy0PqFWBk7qYml4xuNyov3_5NSkVziNNAGFB-BqhY2hNTrB6ZpocJp-0jnEYUn3ipIPmkGtzQuYi_lEqx8eFWD5myLZr_30BfGFnMzmUaeo08L3YBT584UZ87/s1600/DSC_0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Z5eN-ASbtgHf9r8qT9bLy0PqFWBk7qYml4xuNyov3_5NSkVziNNAGFB-BqhY2hNTrB6ZpocJp-0jnEYUn3ipIPmkGtzQuYi_lEqx8eFWD5myLZr_30BfGFnMzmUaeo08L3YBT584UZ87/s400/DSC_0110.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPGwI8g4BrbLdvrSYACQG43ipAKjs7Zi68bnydCyCyP4kRf6zUM_N6kEXNYMMEfLxnuR6Rebfbla_GodmFxxbtpwyUUglLipS0ui1G-g7YGxVmhnTCcrnwBolPIifjxhpjmlpmUMvQPw6/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPGwI8g4BrbLdvrSYACQG43ipAKjs7Zi68bnydCyCyP4kRf6zUM_N6kEXNYMMEfLxnuR6Rebfbla_GodmFxxbtpwyUUglLipS0ui1G-g7YGxVmhnTCcrnwBolPIifjxhpjmlpmUMvQPw6/s400/DSC_0111.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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For comparison, I've paired Alice with the beautiful Duchess. Although Alice has generally the same articulation, her overall body shape is dissimilar. Narrower hips, wider shoulders, overall less curve and form. Her chest reminds me of a Liv doll. The naked comparison revealed one distressing aspect: her shines tend to curve outward. Ouch! No wonder she won't stand on her own.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIljgBQ5azImHuI4W90LZ699dpee4eTwAh7QHjU-LohiL3yrw5bFtI55XawUtyhslJaIKIJeCKtFDJagTMjl5JWm75WWUzbZQdNakn1uzOqYxP_jxsM_XGQgjZA2VqjF3fJCX5vYnJVE_/s640/DSC_0016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do I know you? </td></tr>
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Later, when I bought a Winx Club Bloom doll, I realized where the FTH body came from. Even the head!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l740_I6xro5xkfpTyN1LzgD1w-79GgeFmsYp_0RCcRRVE2YYDggCYJvv3w45RGyo_DygQwaRNmMuPt3hrFspkOoOZmMHWMpo2FUJGGSXONDj1F4SCJob-9nqn6BhiIpvAFEX8xRZBiqS/s640/DSC_0018.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any suggestion for shin splints?</td></tr>
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I bought some vintage Barbie clothes from <a href="http://joycesdolls.com/">Joyce's Dolls</a> that day, and gave Alice a change of clothes. Although the fit was not good, it relaxed her prickly attitude. She even was willing to go exploring and have a picnic. (I recommend Joyce's for a fun time of unexpected hunting, although Stephen says that people who own shops like that just want a place to store their own collections.)<br />
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I decided to purchase more Fairy Tale High dolls. Because they are less perfect, they would be less intimidating to modify. Still, $10 may be overpriced. EAH and MH dolls occasionally go on sale for $10 - $15, and their body, clothes and accessories quality is much higher.<br />
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The only other doll I could find was Tinkerbell. Again, she has distressing makeup choices (green lipstick?) and I dislike the green streaks in her hair. I wondered if I could re-body her and replace it with a Barbie head. However, she grew on me after we spent a day sight-seeing together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYzqt3t8j9U0ePnF1dwYLRJ1SxYUyEPYQJU_1r3-n5L1n1Kk1K7bwXeeA9d1ttI4kfS0-vDoVDuZIA0CQ45_Z6ZJIZPzgkQFo-VgwsEICPcyIC8EDSBMS7pPlL7SNfd3zYjX42Fok5vut/s1600/DSC_0457.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYzqt3t8j9U0ePnF1dwYLRJ1SxYUyEPYQJU_1r3-n5L1n1Kk1K7bwXeeA9d1ttI4kfS0-vDoVDuZIA0CQ45_Z6ZJIZPzgkQFo-VgwsEICPcyIC8EDSBMS7pPlL7SNfd3zYjX42Fok5vut/s320/DSC_0457.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeBuIogX00urrB_lW5ifhqq4KL14LcqmXMGezAJFzs8Pg7qEHTxjNWpzPbnqEQGnabsUHd3S386xUVLszEI-ovaAuB1eWJ3hkrj99QqZ7cMl633yrpTy94ejdJ3zQImlmW89IvduGg_Q6/s1600/DSC_0628.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeBuIogX00urrB_lW5ifhqq4KL14LcqmXMGezAJFzs8Pg7qEHTxjNWpzPbnqEQGnabsUHd3S386xUVLszEI-ovaAuB1eWJ3hkrj99QqZ7cMl633yrpTy94ejdJ3zQImlmW89IvduGg_Q6/s320/DSC_0628.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVxGEPRstnxNVa6sOPMbojwpBc3_R-t4HMMOmEsAL1fPAUTWIQaNs-i2vyXlQqhyhXMXlri4TfkaIK1foOELOzEn8iNthyphenhyphen0STXG9Z0JscIFqhT-xJ5aLKMyOc4P52srSLkUlTSGMX1w25/s1600/DSC_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVxGEPRstnxNVa6sOPMbojwpBc3_R-t4HMMOmEsAL1fPAUTWIQaNs-i2vyXlQqhyhXMXlri4TfkaIK1foOELOzEn8iNthyphenhyphen0STXG9Z0JscIFqhT-xJ5aLKMyOc4P52srSLkUlTSGMX1w25/s400/DSC_0622.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a gator of my own!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeIS3gwRx6zLKPbZTXqBmxL7Zxk7PslPHFou7788xpoe2DrHEXu4_pejD86SONLoZ2CYqhnfmLg2roStPMoJPwwYomnLm6qzMvHVm0NFi-t0f3MgtgO3S3vst2iJiEUgNBxXqcc8Dl2lD/s1600/DSC_0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeIS3gwRx6zLKPbZTXqBmxL7Zxk7PslPHFou7788xpoe2DrHEXu4_pejD86SONLoZ2CYqhnfmLg2roStPMoJPwwYomnLm6qzMvHVm0NFi-t0f3MgtgO3S3vst2iJiEUgNBxXqcc8Dl2lD/s400/DSC_0619.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sorry I stole your baby!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqaiWvyxALP1pD9rAIzPB8uDa1gHFhDYB6ggkhFV1Fd2YzFNaPuR_u6H8CzW_Kt4bsEJefJceyR8IcPXFBygk9ughJeiRpD92rhyphenhyphenPfabRl-78otFyFXB_43CMH4pE1SW0ykP1hIAXeA9L/s1600/DSC_0664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqaiWvyxALP1pD9rAIzPB8uDa1gHFhDYB6ggkhFV1Fd2YzFNaPuR_u6H8CzW_Kt4bsEJefJceyR8IcPXFBygk9ughJeiRpD92rhyphenhyphenPfabRl-78otFyFXB_43CMH4pE1SW0ykP1hIAXeA9L/s400/DSC_0664.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">relaxing in the flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgj9QGXk0vBqIeJFEWinLOrYASfTM4cEuQadOeikeLhhfBlaPbawtwv8MiSWfmASwfJ4InM6XYKPBFC4PXsbdxrubx5b50Aw6aWzwUC5Sczeb_cY1_rOL5NwPBYnUQfxeKiTqk3F9nHBG/s1600/DSC_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgj9QGXk0vBqIeJFEWinLOrYASfTM4cEuQadOeikeLhhfBlaPbawtwv8MiSWfmASwfJ4InM6XYKPBFC4PXsbdxrubx5b50Aw6aWzwUC5Sczeb_cY1_rOL5NwPBYnUQfxeKiTqk3F9nHBG/s400/DSC_0683.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">completely angelic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stay tuned to see how Alice and Tinkerbell are re-crafted! Re-painted <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2015/06/face-re-paints.html">here</a>. Also, FTH can be <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2015/09/re-bodying-dolls.html">re-bodied</a> with a Moxie Girlz head.Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-44577903912067346952015-06-23T13:28:00.000-07:002015-09-19T11:38:08.386-07:00Face Re-Paints<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've found a number of guides on re-painting doll faces, but most of them seem far beyond the average level of skill. (But gorgeous!) I tried to take the tips and simplify them. Here's what was helpful for me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjCZ-bY_13R1ftFDXzEafTnM8FtHpBvT-6zGr4pEUIeywXQr5i7t68yqDoBlRwCktI1uFcs2sIRLYyh52b7sTUNmoGWxL113PxPQRp4dKRUY6KcmhHq21ZrTUa7Xu0VzpjkWR7mdGmuZY/s1600/DSC_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjCZ-bY_13R1ftFDXzEafTnM8FtHpBvT-6zGr4pEUIeywXQr5i7t68yqDoBlRwCktI1uFcs2sIRLYyh52b7sTUNmoGWxL113PxPQRp4dKRUY6KcmhHq21ZrTUa7Xu0VzpjkWR7mdGmuZY/s640/DSC_0067.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Materials</h3>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>paint thinner (everyone recommends acetone nail polish remover, but this is faster)</li>
<li>q-tips, cotton balls</li>
<li>a tiny paintbrush (10/0 spotter is nice to start)</li>
<li>acrylic paints (liquid is better, I used the solid kind I already owned)</li>
<li>sealer (Liquitex Matte Varnish is recommended, I already owned a glossy and used that)</li>
<li>exacto blade</li>
<li>a little bowl of water (clean brushes)</li>
<li>clean-up cloth</li>
<li>a lamp</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIRrTw5sB0hSFV9HlqUqz-EVZrmAPFPYP02chut2ImAZrSur8Gwg_icn4KJqjKffK8nlKHtXfdiPlDYid1SnigZvLftvsKkkVCpXmwiKCOFhr3PZyki21lAD1PiqSUefVwpTKap34NpVB/s1600/DSC_0068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIRrTw5sB0hSFV9HlqUqz-EVZrmAPFPYP02chut2ImAZrSur8Gwg_icn4KJqjKffK8nlKHtXfdiPlDYid1SnigZvLftvsKkkVCpXmwiKCOFhr3PZyki21lAD1PiqSUefVwpTKap34NpVB/s640/DSC_0068.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
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<h3>
Tips</h3>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Don't mix your paints with water. This will make them easier to be rubbed off. Mix with the clear varnish instead.</li>
<li>Symmetry may be impossible- aim for balance. (Human faces aren't perfect either!)</li>
<li>For practice, try painting on top of existing features first rather than wiping the face clean.</li>
<li>Holding the brush: don't jam the brush down on the face. Paint with just the very tip of the brush, barely touching it. </li>
<li>Save pictures of doll eye styles you'd like to emulate. I enjoy when the <a href="http://www.toyboxphilosopher.com/">Toy Box Philosopher</a> does close-up shots of the face when she's reviewing! </li>
<li>Relax! It will look better from a distance. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>
Cleaning the face</h3>
<div>
I like to boil rinse and clean my barbies before I start re-decorating. Give your doll a ponytail to keep her hair out of her face. Wait until her face is painted to start work on a fancy hairdo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnvNmjl1Q40-Q-XMS5Ws4Xnllr7-b1nZYixTA7CCGpgVJ5GWyeATuhq1yJWek39FtGnjdkyf2b1u7V9PeXBB583_dH96IG8oKcBuMxbJdks7WlI5fCFCys4-vOHGlprw0lFBB1X_zJuDS/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnvNmjl1Q40-Q-XMS5Ws4Xnllr7-b1nZYixTA7CCGpgVJ5GWyeATuhq1yJWek39FtGnjdkyf2b1u7V9PeXBB583_dH96IG8oKcBuMxbJdks7WlI5fCFCys4-vOHGlprw0lFBB1X_zJuDS/s400/DSC_0007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">goodbye, terrifying blue lipstick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74Bd_Mv_303XNdiNw9Lt9o-ZRGAgf5zsuxfl260fqtE5jbgu6AFqDGXlkv0lfzLCbb8dfCryfEUG7BP2ZPNLGkQ9qLGU_j3xlKYQI_bbiWPI-qQXgy7qZ9TBC1YIOIgnTIPJsRK1YPyJM/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74Bd_Mv_303XNdiNw9Lt9o-ZRGAgf5zsuxfl260fqtE5jbgu6AFqDGXlkv0lfzLCbb8dfCryfEUG7BP2ZPNLGkQ9qLGU_j3xlKYQI_bbiWPI-qQXgy7qZ9TBC1YIOIgnTIPJsRK1YPyJM/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">many 10s of minutes scrubbing with nail polish remover</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc5WDAfOV8KHHN42TxUuBtBww8vhe18TRxV-yAC7gvZjtgQRFS7PP_eMCgRuE99RSZSpzsaWU6KMqRHWRbEMluDx3bkQ8EJFSsCMTVOLmslO6ZKJ9Pk_BjafSN5iC1WYgUjRWLoHhqBOj/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc5WDAfOV8KHHN42TxUuBtBww8vhe18TRxV-yAC7gvZjtgQRFS7PP_eMCgRuE99RSZSpzsaWU6KMqRHWRbEMluDx3bkQ8EJFSsCMTVOLmslO6ZKJ9Pk_BjafSN5iC1WYgUjRWLoHhqBOj/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a clean sweep with paint thinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
Using <strike>nail polish remover</strike> paint thinner and q-tips, wipe and scrub the face to remove existing paint. Some is easier to remove than others (I found Monster High & Fairy Tale High paint almost impossible to scrub off until I switched to paint thinner.) For paint in crevices, try gently scratching through the damp cotton ball with an exacto blade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEJcG4wSmhglNKJKqOOxc0gaPoVROQRYvbjT7RakD92jo5XXgq_MS-ZqlSm2UaJewv6AnCKy0aR9RRUE9GPdNEThNv7rZYgO4jpEdOu72CWd24Je_G6cGKsbASjk06H9-Qcs3FD4-U5wt/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEJcG4wSmhglNKJKqOOxc0gaPoVROQRYvbjT7RakD92jo5XXgq_MS-ZqlSm2UaJewv6AnCKy0aR9RRUE9GPdNEThNv7rZYgO4jpEdOu72CWd24Je_G6cGKsbASjk06H9-Qcs3FD4-U5wt/s320/DSC_0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Painting</h3>
<div>
1. </div>
<div>
<b>Eyebrows and sclera</b> <br />
Burnt sienna and raw umber are nice colors for eyebrows.<br />
Barbie dolls have the outline of the eye in the facial mold. Some dolls, like the Fairy Tale High doll above, do not. I used a pencil to create my own outline before I started painting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiP3NgRL1-d1MCxzNgFxHpqVbqO2Fmpeo21aLEHUt2GEJ9ydd-qaVwYauhK4lp7i4Dz8tl5SKcD7ZoqQnaaD0NSH6oRBdJ4Rde1hgez1pFfDBCnQww3FuAMLHcC3LjuYLePrCVKFd0bt6t/s1600/IMG_3687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiP3NgRL1-d1MCxzNgFxHpqVbqO2Fmpeo21aLEHUt2GEJ9ydd-qaVwYauhK4lp7i4Dz8tl5SKcD7ZoqQnaaD0NSH6oRBdJ4Rde1hgez1pFfDBCnQww3FuAMLHcC3LjuYLePrCVKFd0bt6t/s320/IMG_3687.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
The sclera (eye whites) doesn't need to be bright white. Adding just the tiniest bit of black to create gray is more realistic. Tip: paint several thin coats and give them each time to dry. </div>
<div>
Advanced: shade across the top for shadow or along sides to create roundness.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83UyWhRemEURz5aDFuISyQfjiemMtw3bJTmjgw8Pby-UdJxeBF9-BKomCgApjQXp9bqBfaAI6umc1Qhn6Ja4yR_fnE0GmkRhsDYxSDp-I5grVmaIyIqr5BPaEw9WxU5YoMuf9qL1osk9z/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83UyWhRemEURz5aDFuISyQfjiemMtw3bJTmjgw8Pby-UdJxeBF9-BKomCgApjQXp9bqBfaAI6umc1Qhn6Ja4yR_fnE0GmkRhsDYxSDp-I5grVmaIyIqr5BPaEw9WxU5YoMuf9qL1osk9z/s400/DSC_0008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
2.<br />
<b>Iris, pupil, light reflections.</b><br />
Use a pencil to draw the circle of the iris. You can even take an eraser to trace around. (I used frosting tips.) Part of the iris is usually covered by the eyelid.<br />
Lots of colors make lovely irises. Skipper has burnt sienna. Advanced: use two shades. Either outline the iris, use different colors on top and bottom, or tiny radiating lines pulling out from the center.<br />
<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhED7YGZU9GuAL4E_TiOpkCnt0jw74cE9OcVttkv8jVO-rpimryNWgPECRkKVbJAJ7unO2Mu77pDtYHvPjKwM1pX05Hx1-qus3nmls0bKUNEgw5ETnF7AE5INykPzRUCbO2GR-rsGSMJfvV/s320/IMG_3689.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytpQKWKfRveUZgrsjek5ZNHKotHJUXp042YA6Hi7K8wGuBnoGb3vEiFmRcA0tU56d480FXqrAWtdAxmUTJC7tLZSPs2bMzVHIf253WXnYXWVWxmD7QaQSt2fe0rt42NzfNXofSyXDuqmU/s1600/IMG_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytpQKWKfRveUZgrsjek5ZNHKotHJUXp042YA6Hi7K8wGuBnoGb3vEiFmRcA0tU56d480FXqrAWtdAxmUTJC7tLZSPs2bMzVHIf253WXnYXWVWxmD7QaQSt2fe0rt42NzfNXofSyXDuqmU/s320/IMG_3691.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5E88PRAofxf67gtTsalR9-yzIIiBRT39JuzIihLSSiK13bYHHxgPrnbstcCCjulnygAgMnWgGaOCbFbKZthYht7sHMyHrH5XdgAwgWLhrb3gT8S6CcOWMNZ39G0YegIuH3jBivjCkaC-/s320/IMG_4425_2.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkzaYDKHRzWY6uNlqRKABFOptQR44gbrV6LZimEH29TO9-Efnq-AxvPyGop63ohQTCWpRSQM8b_FoMEpIZ9xF0aHSCo3R3gvKEMEGFzYAk4hivyChCOMfuzsEfBen5rFSFCu8vOos36Y4/s320/IMG_4422_2.jpg" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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3. </div>
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<b>Lipstick</b>: try mixing burnt sienna, scarlet, and white in tones you like. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<b>Eyeshadow</b>: mix with varnish to make it translucent. Draw a darker line to emphasize the eyelid fold.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigb-2C1v1TlutAm1ZG0IW8TCDN8wnrgy_ifCrHSulFvYeSJNY8BxJwJsgqaBUvnSzKkT0p4vcBUDANVo50aKtG56YJ8j2cfaL2ix6PxeM5KyG-c_UYua4vlUEJVDAuMvX9b0GE2knjtZN/s320/IMG_4432.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWB5yeivP9ejrji4rKADk_gulfUF4QDFTQgZqOToa_J2dQGEXL38ewbd_Ef-EjzGt1X9B0goHGsoF2SvKGey4XsvU8JIdzM3imFRmsSY5i5JDKaUx8wU0f7T8RyVhttAYAOMmZ_wZMX6WG/s320/IMG_4430_2.jpg" /></div>
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4. </div>
Draw a large <b>pupil</b>. (A tiny pupil makes your doll look high.) Solid black pupils are most realistic.<br />
I like solid black <b>eyelashes</b> as well. (My 80's Barbies had blue eyelashes!) Use the tiniest brush strokes possible, hardly touching the face. Use a very thin line toward the center of the eye, then thick is okay for the outside of the eye. Also, be careful with how much you are covering up the eye with the eyelash. Too much eyeliner makes your doll look sleepy.<br />
<br />
Using bright white, create some <b>light reflections</b>. Two per eye is nice, and they can be any shape. (Round dot is easiest.) Light reflection should be identical on both eyes, not symmetrical! If you dotted the upper left corner on the left eye, dot the upper left corner on the right eye as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgcWOG55jW28jFixQkYcliW1FInsGnXwle62GsUnH6c7wATdJ2NJMC0gHCeplWPUh88eFK00ui1R27P9EEzLq_MAGrC1yZVgFLEXRq3kjKezgKVoaQ5NZ3bZp3NZNQ3B44bi5YiViChFi/s1600/IMG_4431_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgcWOG55jW28jFixQkYcliW1FInsGnXwle62GsUnH6c7wATdJ2NJMC0gHCeplWPUh88eFK00ui1R27P9EEzLq_MAGrC1yZVgFLEXRq3kjKezgKVoaQ5NZ3bZp3NZNQ3B44bi5YiViChFi/s400/IMG_4431_2.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extra large eyes have room for more detail.</td></tr>
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Some of my early attempts </h3>
With Birdie (left), I painted new eyes on top of her existing eyes. They ended up large! It was sort of an anime effect, and looked cute anyway, so I kept it. Both dolls below kept their original eyebrows. Birdie had a boil perm and Hester got <a href="http://insidethefashiondollstudio.com/2011/10/21/an-updo-hair-tutorial/?blogsub=confirming">this hairstyle</a>.<br />
Birdie demonstrates some different shapes for light reflections. Hester has radiating dark blue on her light blue irises.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG4KMHYIXq7aPxXR9CzOMmHHGSDYP_Rv4ERg1SeCUePUql940XuwDIjKAjg7aFlHGpMBD2-ADN_m4AsO_HAfD4YNStL7Kw1gtFxhrNe-wMi37AxmXA33X0sDLkJ8xoUv4_FGReO8HA1zu/s1600/IMG_3818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrG4KMHYIXq7aPxXR9CzOMmHHGSDYP_Rv4ERg1SeCUePUql940XuwDIjKAjg7aFlHGpMBD2-ADN_m4AsO_HAfD4YNStL7Kw1gtFxhrNe-wMi37AxmXA33X0sDLkJ8xoUv4_FGReO8HA1zu/s640/IMG_3818.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Skipper with lots of freckles was fun to paint. I regret sealing her whole face with shiny varnish. Buy matte instead. I tried a different eye shape with my Barbie on the left. (Find out how to make her locs over at <a href="https://playbarbies.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/custom-give-your-doll-natty-locs-in-20-minutes/">How to Play with Barbies</a>. It took me much longer than 20 minutes though.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEjqRpBmgHEtXyJGs-yvYtAbOAxtq6P7GgGkZxx7to59GshEmD6hgS1GMc1B5g8di5DqjZiQ6LSIJdv5e7Fl9hZD94E2bc8fYs2buSkcLGwzoi9Q9xF3nb-YoVAiEuwC55oY1rjsB9Dnp/s1600/IMG_3817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEjqRpBmgHEtXyJGs-yvYtAbOAxtq6P7GgGkZxx7to59GshEmD6hgS1GMc1B5g8di5DqjZiQ6LSIJdv5e7Fl9hZD94E2bc8fYs2buSkcLGwzoi9Q9xF3nb-YoVAiEuwC55oY1rjsB9Dnp/s640/IMG_3817.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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New face paint gave these once identical dolls new life and personality! I immediately knew their names, their friendship, and gave them some hobbies. (These hobbies wouldn't be possible without their new Liv bodies as well, check out this re-bodying tutorial.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmX1sOWPRrRPfm7hpQ_tEa1uoK32ji6G9uQRi_MGaYwhhLSf6MLnLasI160xBdgQbP4WJ8xrJduN4-rLyMS0-X5dQSJSjCmIDd6iIbizD9FCJ9TrCCSoyt1A0x8fQ-V9xR0_FC6xzwBmzY/s1600/IMG_3817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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I tried different shaped eyes and styles with my Fairy Tale High dolls. Drawing large eyes is much easier for detail work.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UhkcQ6vQdeevQU-a2d16Tuv_rN_pg62tSdAYOAfVDku6YIC3WFszy5dQiBQP1LOBvgaol8lp6FWFQMa611FbGe_mo2GWVWJM01eEmKGym9H1qnAaTt2dX0r3Ogb5UFLk5fUZdu497r4z/s1600/IMG_4434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6UhkcQ6vQdeevQU-a2d16Tuv_rN_pg62tSdAYOAfVDku6YIC3WFszy5dQiBQP1LOBvgaol8lp6FWFQMa611FbGe_mo2GWVWJM01eEmKGym9H1qnAaTt2dX0r3Ogb5UFLk5fUZdu497r4z/s640/IMG_4434.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I tried simple designs for regular sized Barbie heads. These two dolls have lovely hair courtesy of another <a href="https://playbarbies.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/custom-rotini-or-halo-hair/">How to Play with Barbies</a> tutorial. However, I would recommend re-painting faces before doing elaborate hairstyles. A simple braid or ponytail is best for keeping hair away from paint.</div>
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Professional Guides:<br />
<a href="http://www.fantasydollsbyd.com/New_page_81.htm">http://www.fantasydollsbyd.com/New_page_81.htm</a> (this guide uses a larger doll, so details can be more noticeable. Also, check out her Monster High repaints- they're to die for!)<br />
<a href="http://www.dolls-n-daggers.com/Dolls/OOAKtipspainting.php">http://www.dolls-n-daggers.com/Dolls/OOAKtipspainting.php</a> (love her little helpful tips, like on dealing with shaking hands)<br />
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<br />Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1124813166436081163.post-74676156336158565502015-05-27T13:11:00.002-07:002015-09-19T18:01:12.113-07:00Queen of Africa - Nneka Review<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzonV_V8-rkuGG3g119VGLAqBSY7nGfW-y3WTjlSAuyjZJxl7k9Ptt_f0dt6FDNapChZPw-3q7QrmmgMvDEr01tKxNj2uGN1Bza-qCU3cLA1j2M_qtsSaRfqRA6ZAvcmBYVv22cURO2sL/s1600/DSC_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzonV_V8-rkuGG3g119VGLAqBSY7nGfW-y3WTjlSAuyjZJxl7k9Ptt_f0dt6FDNapChZPw-3q7QrmmgMvDEr01tKxNj2uGN1Bza-qCU3cLA1j2M_qtsSaRfqRA6ZAvcmBYVv22cURO2sL/s640/DSC_0037.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nneka</td></tr>
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Queens of Africa dolls are a Nigerian alternative to Barbie. They were developed by Taofick Okoya "to show African children that black is beautiful by enabling them to play with dolls that reflect their culture and heritage." They are available for purchase in the US at the <a href="http://www.slicebycake.com/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=25">Slice by Cake</a> website.<br />
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I chose Nneka, because of her beautiful red outfit and her braided hair. She represents the Igbo tribe. (There are two other queens, Azeezah of the Hausa tribe and Wuraola of the Yoruba tribe.) Nigeria is on the west coast of Africa (Atlantic Ocean side), and is about twice the size of California.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in the box</td></tr>
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Nneka is packaged in a pink box with some of her accessories on display. Here is everything in the box. I was surprised that she has a stand and a formal gown! She wears her traditional Nigerian outfit, red high heels, and has a pink hairbrush, gold crown, red purse and pink swimsuit. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuAfmgluxXYGLj6CGLiDlj-8LoQ5hgZecBuz00G2Z0e3KxNfYOvczrAlOr9HGPP2KCiEdwKKW8TvahBdWUBEWVHUYxu7EuTx6PVp8qE_FvFXx9viDKcKe8klpIO2xuc-OsrOR4MgG7KVs/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuAfmgluxXYGLj6CGLiDlj-8LoQ5hgZecBuz00G2Z0e3KxNfYOvczrAlOr9HGPP2KCiEdwKKW8TvahBdWUBEWVHUYxu7EuTx6PVp8qE_FvFXx9viDKcKe8klpIO2xuc-OsrOR4MgG7KVs/s640/DSC_0025.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more than shown on the box!</td></tr>
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Africa is the most diverse continent in the world. This style of headdress is unique to Nigeria, called a gele. Ladies will use a stiffer fabric to stand it up. There are different ways to tie it, but I will probably not alter this one for fear of messing it up. Her hair is braided into many small braids that are not tied and are loose about half way down.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UOKhDXmr36nS1maKPru4ceMo4blW79G7sjIz0J8mhig8Guz9scWLhqLeAnhlvcDDegAZSDvvQXAWn-Gb6BhudpkFpIGliL4fVunI9Yo1QJ1-NFUppcxlBn59o08hkGpgc-aAjXvkFQw0/s400/DSC_0027.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiUJdmTI6AaCh3HgZKSUoVy5jpPKhr-WUiG3gCM9w1J9HUXCD_GLCNLDB0GK4qgQp7WJT-YtsjkO1m8JZb-kq3Uh-wyMRvZw5Be3S9Y_Yk94ZTspIJoUEXFhfPo405Kzlqhfs92EzfnUU/s400/DSC_0029.jpg" /></div>
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Nneka wears a loose blouse (buba) and a wrap-around skirt (ibo). They have a simple design that would be possible to recreate, if you can find some wonderful patterned fabrics. Nneka's buba is a bit challenging to get over her head. There is no velcro or clasps on the outfit at all.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXplrUAIZIMCsChqteSnKk-HdA9wvsCWo_E79qP92z9H9SiP8uhDQDlslBdeARpiH2ex3fBFY83O2G22x89ZXoSGN8wFjr2jJT0Md7zsEMSdMnU9QHp12pRUnuqh0i2GPeXe2_PjZiWIb/s320/DSC_0041.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdhDOXJwJIBKzJvWl_-b2rG4eMEltcBdm8pwffUJQqxbm3UxGBIoPDMYyUzawllVkAnLk048jY8QwVLANsHSmJLokZ2OfaZUPZR9VGrEDZmCtFDVRnDFOqUSQg3pG76PEHExodwc3yBvM/s320/DSC_0084.JPG" /></div>
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Underneath, Nneka has panties made from a flimsy fabric. I suppose they were added for modesty, but they shredded when I removed them. (You can see how they are getting stuck in the hip joint.) This seems like it would make play frustrating. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-3IbTdGWgl-O4gq3j2_BJSZlhoWEtDBNU7LT2kw-lerFLPW703szYmQqVVPKqB3BuRit3loeKGtghBKZjtgU2pPg__u5GiEvaHhrbWWhGkk7f6TH8M5HikHTrwTam7oub69L85jYuw9r/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKAGGETepTgULdoXeemYlhTwHxWzy1cwMsMF0hHvlbw3jxu0-dWh-imZynOw0XuM0C_lQdqnN-bQFUy0Bd7a4Ddzi-78Zr7wHsz2W1prWdxFPmPfgkn-c5t1zfv76EcWpXy88HNCYZd9K/s320/DSC_0043.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-3IbTdGWgl-O4gq3j2_BJSZlhoWEtDBNU7LT2kw-lerFLPW703szYmQqVVPKqB3BuRit3loeKGtghBKZjtgU2pPg__u5GiEvaHhrbWWhGkk7f6TH8M5HikHTrwTam7oub69L85jYuw9r/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" /></div>
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Nneka naked revealed some oddities. She appears to have a twist-and-turn Barbie-style body, but the waist articulation is at an angle and has been fixed so it doesn't turn. Nneka has click knees which bend about this much.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSZroq5JZM5dYVqYyce_iYmX-_v15wtieh4D69ra5X9147CGWM9duQtqCu_cYL1gnpBInjeuFCkv73O8r3I3CshJetqJkMKgMzvBZxFY9f2ylo32gs9PkEIG1HhaDDEcFF75mLJd56gHI/s400/DSC_0044.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-aZY8W7VIESKdXpFiLi-RmOFK9muNNvgppfH6geju0CvogNTn_zx8_XbOOA4dWDhgs1aNFsBkDxlvOm3FDVDiSimvIk1zflaYh3HIajCdFEF50m5xJu9rhYZiva78hAXgtGrwnOYF55v/s1600/DSC_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-aZY8W7VIESKdXpFiLi-RmOFK9muNNvgppfH6geju0CvogNTn_zx8_XbOOA4dWDhgs1aNFsBkDxlvOm3FDVDiSimvIk1zflaYh3HIajCdFEF50m5xJu9rhYZiva78hAXgtGrwnOYF55v/s400/DSC_0046.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
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I compared Nneka to a Barbie fashionista (articulated) and Jasmine (on a twist-and-turn body). Nneka's head is slightly larger than the other dolls, particularly her forehead. Her body proportions look identical to Jasmine's at first.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm09tztAcOQmlecu9Kma_AXBeinvXcS4T1NnIh7NURLIaQEvTKGwkcHeKEw2cPpo456C_ZVO2YS79AQujU1uNEB4T3yMbzaRXs6FE_wWEMkIvTl0zMgnz5hcQj6rYjPMSGqNX9yA8ioV9/s1600/DSC_0048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSm09tztAcOQmlecu9Kma_AXBeinvXcS4T1NnIh7NURLIaQEvTKGwkcHeKEw2cPpo456C_ZVO2YS79AQujU1uNEB4T3yMbzaRXs6FE_wWEMkIvTl0zMgnz5hcQj6rYjPMSGqNX9yA8ioV9/s640/DSC_0048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sideways, I found another surprise- Nneka doesn't have much padding in the seating department! In fact, her front and back seem the same.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo5qUoOibaIt_Yez3TEORz_sh5gKVs8qf0bXFx_RYg7wEWTTepNgwujOFZJtFvDUfnPb3UWy3svY2srtsE8asUctCQo3tIuzc9PZCPywgBoSu_752WU7UfYb7H4kVuX_384I55GmALswP/s1600/DSC_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVo5qUoOibaIt_Yez3TEORz_sh5gKVs8qf0bXFx_RYg7wEWTTepNgwujOFZJtFvDUfnPb3UWy3svY2srtsE8asUctCQo3tIuzc9PZCPywgBoSu_752WU7UfYb7H4kVuX_384I55GmALswP/s640/DSC_0050.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Other body flaws are noticeable along the seams, especially at the hands and feet. They would been easy to remove. I will likely <a href="http://thedollcraft.blogspot.com/2015/09/re-bodying-dolls.html">re-body</a> Nneka, so I'm not concerned. </div>
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Her formal gown is lovely, matched with her "Queen of Love" sash, matching purse, shoes and crown. These seem like a lot of fun to play with.<br />
Nneka's swimsuit is hot pink. It has an unflattering cut.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hQhRj8rEKFFnxmV2GHHNMbWG5V2169RbG06_IODiUsVVoX2mvZ-vIy7sGqWaoVF8z9ijqdQ2W24IlDAzymNDhdCWs8wtg_5gYeM-g501iATIuO9FMihf6S03Gw7TXs8oafbeAIUhPBNB/s400/DSC_0079.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfLz9MmRcI0ZbU9wnjRWAzXVtXPTajcZ1bzB_ydv0TFDvWvEwkN1e_MKDKBNUcraYKqicX9xhCS9XrLTl9iibP8fxJivgW7RVl0yeF2F0_jTol4i9BpuFoKBe9cUb1edWXywnAToyaNB-/s400/DSC_0060.jpg" /></div>
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Nneka's sash makes me think she won a beauty pageant, but the script tells us that love is more valuable than beauty.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10pn3GUaVHVpYrdtNzvRV4e6NYSkwFHMAazsCE_wyHgShnqqtGzdLyHz-dPMhqJVLj8lsnqK4N0l4I3weVXuevIS0fhRQhfHi3cEnWbN7v2PTAy_KbKUYu-RxzSCDvc5tbwF8eJwklbJb/s1600/DSC_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10pn3GUaVHVpYrdtNzvRV4e6NYSkwFHMAazsCE_wyHgShnqqtGzdLyHz-dPMhqJVLj8lsnqK4N0l4I3weVXuevIS0fhRQhfHi3cEnWbN7v2PTAy_KbKUYu-RxzSCDvc5tbwF8eJwklbJb/s640/DSC_0065.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I love Nneka's face. She has almond eyes, light brown with a darker brown outline. The artwork is more Disney than Mattel, with solid white scleras and black outlines. She has simple eyebrows and eyelashes. Her lips are pink with a slight smile that is warm and kind. Her hair is rooted in a way that leaves a lot of bald spots, but only when flipped up. Otherwise, it's well-covered and natural flowing. </div>
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Nneka also comes with a comic book about school girls who are inspired by the Queens. They are now outselling Barbie in Nigeria (read more at the <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2931846/Nigerian-doll-created-man-couldn-t-black-toy-niece-popular-country-s-outselling-BARBIE.html">Daily Mail</a>.) For me, this was a pricey purchase, especially given the quality problems. I doubt I'll complete the trio anytime soon. But I am happy with my doll, especially her wonderful clothes. I deeply admire the company and their values. I hope the Queens of Africa will continue to have much success.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLp3LVAwvrbqqH_mE6IKk47L9GoPitRi-y0fR1PSWGQuVFehjS8orxsc7Rxv2e0-Ke1pBCOdgDEp0pYT85H3j3UcE8fk5jhAb8VW7rO4-2uK4epz-uKg6KhrFeA5sp1DFLH8CcKGNsbBn/s400/DSC_0086.jpg" /> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3rWPlMt7w-9epNEdBFOrBkWBr1bzAWp7QblIjK4xqU_CcIlNUQStfdmFCsp-WWHob3iBg_Bg-9TTElovupavthT4wKTqvJkpLYsY86cK-VFNh43rXTvdBqCOKCdW_WRwvwBl6_EcyyLW/s400/DSC_0059.jpg" /></div>
<br />Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18054433007140948598noreply@blogger.com3