✯✯✯ David Bowie Gold Label Collection Barbie Doll ✯✯✯

/barbie.mattel.com

I was innocently doing some research on Amazon today, and came across a very interesting Barbie that intrigued me no end... It turns out that she was released this July, as a tribute to both Barbie and David Bowie in his iconic Ziggy Stardust incarnation.

There's not much I could find out about this doll, except she was released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" song, which is weird in a way cos Ziggy Stardust came out 3 years later, so why not wait 3 years or dress this one all in silver and give it a mullet... Yeah I know out of the two this one is more iconic so it makes sense really, just a little weird anyhoo, I digress... Back to Barbie..

amazon.co.uk

Her hair is slick back and poofed up, more of a bouffant than a mullet  - It looks similar but not quite, but then again it isn't supposed to be a Bowie replica, it's a tribute piece.

amazon.co.uk

Her make up is beautiful and themed to match the colours in her  jumpsuit, there is no red blush around her temples or cheekbones like Bowie wore but it's very pretty and immediately recognisable regardless, perhaps because she has the "Astral Circle" on her forehead, to match the one David Bowie wore, during this time.  

She's wearing big 70's style earrings depicting a star going through a circle, which again are not "Bowie" but fit in very well to the overall aesthetic of the piece.

amazon.co.uk

Her outfit is almost an exact replica of David Bowie's striped, metallic jumpsuit - As you can see from the picture below it is a really good likeness.

davidbowie.fandom.com

She also comes wearing the same patent looking platform boots as David Bowie wears as part of this outfit.

She is presented in a transparent box, against a background of multiple photographs of David Bowie in his many incarnations over his career.

She is already sold out on Amazon. uk, which is pretty crazy as she's only been out for a few weeks.

Oh well, that's it for now, catch ya later!

👻 Fred & Shaggy - Barbie,Kelly & Friends Scooby-Doo Collection 👻

google

In 1969 Hanna-Barbera created the an animated series featuring a scaredy dog called Scooby-Doo, and his mystery solving human friends, Shaggy, Fred, Velma and Daphne. 

They called it Scooby-Doo Where Are You? And it originally ran from 1969 to 1976.

Between reruns, new shows/series and movies in the years since Scooby in some guise or another has never been off air. 

google.

The characters, mysteries and wacky style has been and still is beloved by children and nostalgic adults alike.

New films, reruns of original shows and merchandise are still as popular as it always was, that's pretty impressive for a group of cartoon characters that are now 50 years old, especially as in terms of the story format not much has changed.

One very cool piece of merchandise was Mattel's Scooby-Doo Collection that was began in 2002 with the release of Barbie, Ken and Skipper dolls as Daphne, Shaggy, Fred and Velma respectively, to coincide with the live action Scooby-Doo that came out the same year.

giorgiaclub

In 2003 Mattel released their Barbie® Kelly and Friends Scooby-Doo Collection, existentially a cuter, miniature version of the Barbie and Ken collection, with Kelly and Tommy taking the place of their larger counterparts.

Personally, I love both collections, with Shaggy and Velma being my favourites in the Barbie and Ken range. In the Kelly and Tommy versions, I have no preference...

So when I saw a listing for Tommy as both Shaggy and Fred, I bid on them with the idea that I would be able to get Kelly as Daphne and Velma to complete the set soon enough, as at the time there were loads of these dolls available for sale.

They are so cute, to be honest, I'm not a fan of Fred, I've always found him a bit weird. But as a doll, especially a Tommy doll he is adorable, as is Shaggy. 

They both have perfect replicas of the outfits the characters wear in the cartoons and films, and I felt, would be a welcome addition to my doll collection.

I was lucky enough to win Fred and Shaggy, and started my quest for the two Kelly dolls to complete the gang.

 Unfortunately, they suddenly became really popular and really hard to find, when they do show up, they are crazy expensive, or loose and crazy expensive!

Of course as Fred and Shaggy are boxed, I want to find Daphne and Velma boxed... 

Sadly, it's been almost 6 years since I bought them, and still my quest continues, at this point it is looking less likely I'll ever get to complete the set, but well 2 out of 4 isn't bad, I guess!

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🍒 Cherry Merry Muffin Dolls by Mattel 🍒

There were five dolls produced in 1988 and as their names suggest they were muffin themed. 

They also had an individual scent to their hair which corresponded to their names, in the same way that Strawberry Shortcake Dolls did.

 They each came with a themed pet / friend called "Flavour Friends", a tray of muffins and a muffin shaped hair comb.

Dolls belonging to John Gemmel (Dolls More Dolls, Multiply)

The dolls in the image above belong to a fellow collector and friend of mine, John Gemmel, from the doll group I belong to. 

When he posted the photograph and having never seen these dolls before I was so intrigued by them that I decided to see what I could find out about them, this post constitutes my findings, sadly this post has been waiting in my draft folder for completion for several years now and as I didn't make note here of my sources, I'm unsure where I found my information and photographs; so if they belong to you, please let me know so I can accredit you...
The one on the left is Banancy with her friend / pet called Bitty Banana on the right is Chocolottie with her friend / pet called Chocolate Drop, they are part of the first wave range of these dolls.

When these dolls were originally sold in the 1980's the muffins were also scented.

The original "First Wave" range of  Cherry Merry Muffin dolls.

The image above shows all the dolls in the range,from left to right, they are:

Betty Berry with Flavour Friend Li'l Dip

Cherry Merry Muffin with Flavour Friend Cherry Sweet

Chocolottie with Flavour Friend Chocolate Drop

Banancy with Flavour Friend Bitty Banana

Apple Amy with Flavour Friend Apple Buddy

The dolls stood 6.5 inches high and had the regulation "big hair" of the 80's  which was either curly or wavy, depending on the doll.

They wore dresses with aprons covering them and had little painted-on shoes. They each came with a "Flavour Friend", a Tray of  6 Muffins in a baking tray and a Comb.

The dolls accessories matched the smell according to the doll's name and the colour of her outfit.

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☠ The Problem with Monster High Dolls... ☠

Since being introduced to Monster High Dolls in 2010 by an online fellow doll loving friend (Thanks Kyle!), and beginning my quest to own Frankiestein - she was the only one I really wanted until a few months later when they hit the U.K and I found them in my local Argos...

                                       

I bought both Draculaura and Frankiestein and thought I was done until I got them home and really looked at them, I went back the next day for Lagoona Blue & Clawdeen Wolf!

 But that was definitely it, I had the new Monster High Dolls and I was happy, I had no reason to buy any more.

But, no... Along comes Kyle again and shows me his recently acquired Ghoulia Yelps doll, and nagdabbit a ZOMBIE!!!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/venivididolli/5075841134/

 I was smitten and so my quest began again, after that there really was no hope for me.

 I'd discover the new dolls through my American friends, wait for what seemed like an endless amount of time before they arrived in the U.K and sadly not all of them did so... 

I'd obtain, discover a new release, wait again... ad infinitum.

Just having to have them, it was truly terrible to behold!

I'm now of course totally hooked, even the ones I thought looked bloody stupid when I first saw them and vowed I wouldn't buy, somehow crossed my palms with the intention of being victims for customising... 

But alas no - when they got into my sweaty mitts, I saw their merits and *sigh* add that to the collection too!

It's gotten so bad that the ones that were originally bought for customising and subsequently ended up in my collection had to be replaced as I couldn't shake the idea of how they'd look customised!

Now my collection is somewhere in the late double figures and fast approaching trebles but of course that's not it either... those tricksy folks over at Mattel go and release the  Create a Monster range - a doll customiser's dream! 

I don't think I need to tell you what happened then?!

                                                   

Mattel weren't done either it seems was I ... 

They  released playsets with cool creepy themes and now I'm at a loss as to how to categorise / display / photograph & upload all my beauties.

Starting with the boxed dolls seemed like a plan but of course I now have more of them to show off too, it really is never ending...

I think I need some kind of Monster High Doll AA!

I should probably make another start so the next few posts will be Monster High themed, I just hope you guys are ready for it!

Hugs,

Ooak Audrey Two - Monster High Pet, Doll's House Miniature.

Ever since I first saw the Little Shop of Horrors 1986 Musical, it's been a firm favourite of mine. I love the 1960 Roger Corman film, but there's just something about the musical version that puts it right up there on my list of all time favourite films.

I love the way the movie makes you forget that you're watching a film and fools you into thinking you're watching it on the stage, the sets are awesome.

 Ellen Greene belts out her numbers like no one else could, the costumes on the three schoolgirl 1960's style pop group are gorgeous, but most of all Audrey two is both adorable and monstrous and I'm sure you won't be surprised to learn, one of those toys that never was, but I so wish had of been made!

For years I've been wanting to make myself one but never quite finding the inspiration or suitable materials to do so...                                                                      

Until Mattel launched their Venus McFlytrap Doll, who came with an adorable little pet called Chewlian and everything about the little guy screamed "Audrey Two" to me.

After I bought a Venus McFlytrap for my collection, I was on the lookout for another Chewlian to turn into an Audrey Two, when I finally got my hands on one, it was full steam ahead.

My Audrey Two

I had to carve off his "fin" , make him some more tendrils and repaint him.

My Audrey Two

I added some "mud" to his pot, and painted the cracks to make it look more beaten up.

My Audrey Two

It was actually pretty easy to do, and took only a couple of minutes to get him looking just right, and so I got the idea that I may soon make one or two more to sell at some time in the future.

My original plan was to make him for Endora's house (which sadly I run out of steam on half way through) but it seems that Pendle has over ideas, she loves the little guy,...

So it looks like I'll end up making yet another so Endora doesn't get jealous, after all, she'll be needing lots of freakish plants and herbs for her Witch's Shop!

Bride of Frankenstein and the monster Target Exclusive Merry Monsters™

A few years ago a friend of mine - fellow doll lover and Horror Film Fan sent me these two little cuties from Maryland USA.

I instantly fell in love with them and I'm so lucky as he always sends me the coolest dolls and like these two very often I've never seen or heard of them before or if I have am unable to buy them in this Country.

I spent a long time trying to find information on these girls and discovered that they are from Mattel's Merry Monsters range, made exclusively for Target stores and sold in 2009.

                                                              Miranda and Kayla

Well butter me lucky 'cos we certainly don't have any Target stores in Wales (not that I'm aware of anyway).

 Nagabbit where I live; in a small village with a population of  1, 307 (measured in 2001) nestled into the base of a mountain, we don't even have our own Post Office (anymore) - maybe Cardiff has a Target, but nagdabbit that's over 56 miles away!

Anyhoo, I'm digressing the point is I didn't have to go and look for a Target or have to have anyone tell me about these dolls because my awesome buddy Kyle just knew that I would love and want them and sent them to me in a big box of goodies!

✨ Barbie & Ken Star Trek Gift Set ✨

This set was released in 1996 to coincide with the 30th Anniversary of the original Star Trek T.V Series and is a Gold Label Edition which means each set is numbered and limited to 10,000 or less having been sold Worldwide.

I guess there's really only two types of people that this Barbie and Ken collector set would appeal to; either the kind of Barbie Collector who loves anything Barbie or a serious Star Trek fan, I'm the type of collector that has very eclectic tastes I also have always loved the original Star Trek T.V Series - it's one of those shows that has been deeply ingrained in my psyche since early childhood.
So of course this set really appealed to me and my sense of kitsch the doll collector and overgrown child in me loved the mini "Crew Members" in their authentic outfits and accessories.

While the Trekkie and the Artist in me loved the design of the box, colour choice, the image of the S.S Enterprise, the images from the cockpit and of course the cardboard cut-outs of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock and the fact that they have used the writing from the title screen from the original series at the bottom of the box.

Both Barbie and Ken have been produced from their Super Star moulds used and sold in the 1990's,
( The Super Star mould was first produced in the 1970's and continued to be produced up until the mid to late 1990's).

Barbie's uniform is modelled on Lt. Uhura's Operations Officer's uniform complete with an Assignment patch with symbol showing her position inside it. She also has the Rank Insignia of her position as Lieutenant around the cuffs of her sleeves.

She has her Federation Star Fleet Tricorder which she keeps hung over her shoulder when not in use and can be opened and closed, she also has a Communicator which she holds in her right hand.

Ken's uniform consists of a gold tunic and black trousers which was modeled on the uniform of a Starfleet Command Officer. He also has his Assignment patch on his chest with the symbol illustrating his position as Command Officer inside it.
The cuffs of Ken's sleeves also denote his rank as Commander. He is holding his Phaser in his right hand and his Communicator in his left, when not in use he can place his Phaser in a fabric loop on the side of his shirt which acts as a holster.

This is displayed inside the box as being open and ready for use but I have read Amazon Reviews which state that the Communicators can also be closed, the same review also stated that the dolls both have holes in their hands with which to hold them.

My dolls have not been removed from their box and will not be either as I love the way it displays with the Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock on The Starship Enterprise along with Barbie and Ken that I cannot bring myself to remove them from it.
Their clothes, made of a fabric that looks like felt, but is more than likely to be Xenylon - an algae based fabric, used for Federation Starfleet uniforms until 2268.

In keeping with Starfleet dress codes being female Barbie would have had a choice of either a tunic and trouser suit or a dress like outfit with regulation black tights and calf length boots. 

Being Barbie, she chose the latter! 

The back of the box shows Barbie and Ken's regulation accessories and has information on each:

Tricorder:

"Specialized state-of-the-art sensing technology available for scientific engineering, scientific and medical applications."

Communicator:

"A personal communications device providing voice transmission from a planetary surface to an orbiting spacecraft and between members of a landing party."

Phaser:

"Handheld weapon used by Starfleet personnel that can be adjusted to a variety of settings including stun, heat and disruption."

Below the photograph is written:

"Join Barbie and Ken as they beam aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the classic Star Trek Series! 

Ready for any mission, Barbie is outfitted with an authentic Star Trek uniform. Her badge and red uniform denote her status as a member of the ship's engineering section. She carries a replica of a tricorder, the multipurpose scientific and technical instrument that incorporates computers, sensors and records in a convenient handheld device. She also carries a replica of a communicator allowing he to contact other Starfleet personnel. Ken wears a gold jersey and badge indicating his position in the Command division. He carries a replica of a phaser - an acronym for PHASed Energy Rectification - which is a directed energy weapon used by Starfleet personnel. 

Lieutenant Barbie and Commander ken join the internationally renowned original crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise: Captain James T. Kirk, First Officer Spock, Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy, Chief Engineer Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, Helmsman Hikaru Sulu, Communications Officer Uhura and Navigator Pavel Chekov on a special voyage. In the 30 years since it first aired, Star Trek has inspired generations of fans with Gene Roddenberry's belief that people of various races, genders and planetary origins can work together to build a constructive future for all mankind."

The box also contains a black plastic stand for each doll with name tag, and Gold Label Certificate of Authenticity.

🦇 Batman & Catwoman Barbie Collector Classic 🦇

My Son is awesome - knowing how much I love the 1960's Batman T.V Series and of course my doll obsession he bought me two presents last Christmas that combine both...

The Batman and Catwoman Collector Classics Barbie and Ken Dolls ... Woohoo!!

                                             

They are both Pink Label which according to Barbie.collector.com  means they are  made for Collectors of all ages, not that I care what label these dolls are - they're beautiful works of art!

Batman's box is covered by cartoon imagery as used in the opening sequence of the T.V Series the writing is also from the classic series with those kitsch cartoon flashes that loved to use over Batman and Robin's awesome fight scenes.

And ... just look at that six-pack!

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/batman-ken-doll-y0302

Batman himself is wearing a replica costume to the one Adam West wore right down to is utility belt, some of the colours are a bit off but I can forgive Mattel for that as in all other aspects it's perfect.

You may not know this but Mattel never throw away their moulds even after they've retired the dolls they used them to create this means that any time Mattel want to re release a certain line of dolls they can make an exact replica - minus of course the plastics used at the time.

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/batman-ken-doll-y0302

In the Mattel tradition the faces of this Barbie and Ken have been made from previously retired sculpts. The dolls themselves are reproductions of 1960's Barbie and Ken Dolls... I could be wrong but this appears to be what they did when creating these gorgeous dolls

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/batman-ken-doll-y0302

Catwoman's box design is identical to that of Batman's. As she doesn't wear a cape more of the background art is visible behind her - it is a full cityscape of Gotham with the Bat Signal projecting out into the night sky from behind the buildings and a cartoon depiction of Batman and Robin scaling a wall to the left of her with the aid of The Bat Rope!

Catwoman is styled after Julie Newmar's iconic portrayal of the beautiful villainess. She wears the same skin tight catsuit with pixie boots and black opera style gloves with golden claws attached, an eye mask and even the cute little kitten ears poking out from under her coiffed hair.

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/catwoman-barbie-doll-y0304

Her outfit is accessorised with a gold belt worn on the hips and a golden chain, both replicas of the ones worn by Julie Newmar. The claws on her gloves, unlike Julie Newmar's Catwoman are painted on and not individual claws positioned like fingernails.

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/catwoman-barbie-doll-y0304

When her mask is removed Barbie's vintage mould is unmistakable. Her make up is also a reproduction of Julie Newmar's Catwoman, with the same bizarrely styled eyebrows and Egyptian style kohl on her black eyelids with that "flick" at the outside corners that was so fashionable in the 1960's.

www.figures.com

The back of both boxes bear this statement: "Batman is the live action, TV cult phenomenon inspired by the DC comics characters of, The Caped Crusader and his sidekick Robin The Boy Wonder formed The Dynamic Duo, together, they battled colourful master criminals. The purrrrfectly mischievous minx Catwoman was a favourite foe sauntering through the TV episodes. Even today, The Batman Legacy continues as dedicated fans tune to The "Same Bat Channel" to watch tales of Gotham City's beloved DC Super Hero."
                                              

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Mattel Liam Flavas Doll (redressed)

I got this guy as a Trade from the very lovely and generous Joey ( Joey4MaryMagpie on Flickr ), who knew how much I was after a Flavas boy doll!

I've redressed him in an awesome "Punk" 1/16 outfit which I had bought for a custom I'm in the middle of ... added the dust mask (because I have a problem in that area!) and some Action Man boots and he was good to go!