Two Consuelos

 Here's a comparison of my two Hearts for Hearts Consuelo dolls.

The one on the left with the purple eyes was a recent thrift store find. The one on the right I bought new in box from Toys R Us when the line was being discontinued for the first time.

The thrift store one cleaned up nicely. Her hair brushed out and is gorgeous. Her eyes, obviously, are still purple. I was not able to get all the scuffs off her face with Magic Eraser. If I ever buy fine-grain sandpaper, I will try that.

It's really interesting because they were both made by the same company that first produced these dolls. The thrift store doll would have been one of the first ones made by this company, and the Toys R Us doll one of the last.

I feel like there are subtle differences in the face paint. Combined with the difference in eye color, it gives them different personalities in their faces. 

I am not ruling out that I may customize thrift store Consuelo, but right now I enjoy both of the dolls as they are.

A Busy Summer

 July is always a challenging month for me to take doll pictures and post n the blog, due to visiting family members.

All the same, summer is going by way too fast for me.

The only doll thing that I have done lately is make three more Fourth of July dresses from the Liberty Jane Peplum Top pattern.

I didn't take any new pictures, because they were identical to ones I already made and shared on here. Plus, I was in a hurry to get them mailed before the holiday.

These were for the granddaughter of my mom's friend, and I just wanted her to have some Fourth of July dresses. She has an 18 inch Madame Alexander doll named Mary that she is devoted to. I am a sucker for little girls who love their dolls.

I hope to have more doll content to share in August, if not sooner!

Mattel Toy Store

Apparently, on May 28, there was an altercation at the Mattel Toy Store in Middleton between staff and a customer who didn't want to honor the purchase limits on AG items. 

It was bad enough that Loss Prevention staff were called in to escort the customer out of the store, and all of the AG items were pulled immediately. They aren't sure if they will be able to sell American Girl at the Toy Store anymore, due to this incident.  

I am shocked and saddened to hear about this. I went to the store on June 26, and they did not have any American Girl merchandise there.

I always enjoyed my visits there, and I am sad that my rare visits there to look for AG stuff will be pointless if they continue not to stock AG products. It was always a fun thing to do, since I never knew what they would have there.

Kit's Photography

 I love Kit's camera. It has the kind of detail that made me fall in love with AG.

I love that it folds up and opens, although I am always afraid it will break.

I keep forgetting how to open it between uses. The little silver tab pulls out, and it looks like it's just molded on. Confusing.

I want to take more pictures of Kit with her camera.

So I was really pleased to take this picture of Kit photographing Kaya's beaver!

It uses two doll props in a believable scenario.

I can imagine Kit being excited to photograph a beaver for the newspaper, can't you?

This is also one of my favorite outfits for Kit. Blue is my favorite color, and it's just so cute!

MCM 2021 News

 

Announcing the 2021 American Girl Benefit Sale Tickets on sale: Wednesday, August 25 Online sale: Saturday, September 25 Curbside pickup: October (no shipping)

We're eagerly preparing for our 34th American Girl Benefit Sale. Like last year, the pandemic continues to affect our planning: though public health is improving, we need to keep the sale online for another year. The other major factor in planning is inventory: In 2020 we completely sold out of dolls. Since the last sale, we’ve received many high-quality dolls and will continue to receive and prepare more but we do not anticipate having as much inventory as in recent years. For those wanting to participate this year, that will likely translate into fewer tickets available to shop and lower limits on items. American Girl has continued to be a tremendous partner and is doing everything possible to support the sale and our work. We are forever grateful for their generosity. How the 2021 American Girl Benefit Sale will work A limited number of tickets will be sold on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Ticketholders will shop ONLINE ONLY on Saturday, September 25, 2021 Shopping times will be assigned to ticket holders based on a random lottery, as in years past Shoppers will collect their purchases using CURBSIDE PICKUP from our new warehouse location in Middleton, Wisconsin. Pickup appointments will be scheduled for weekends in October, starting on October 9 and concluding on October 24. No shipping will be offered As ever, our goal is to allow as many families to be able to shop for great American Girl products while raising money for the museum and the other charities the American Girl Fund for Children supports. With the inventory as it stands now, tickets, limits, and discounts may be more restricted than last year; however much can change in a few short months.  Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for your patronage and your patience! So here's my two cents- It doesn't sound like the best sale this year. Limited tickets, limited inventory, limited discounts, and no chance to pick your merchandise out in person. It's not going to be accessible to many people with in person pick up only. I live close enough to do this. But I am wondering if ticket numbers are so limited, if I will even manage to get a ticket. I am not an early morning person with my work schedule. I am glad there is a sale this year, I just wish it was better news.

Kaya Love

 I just love Kaya, you guys. She is an exquisitely beautiful doll with such a sweet, thoughtful expression.

This beaver was kind of a weird addition to her collection. I mean, a beaver is not a pet, so it's hard to get a natural looking picture of Kaya with the beaver, I think.

It's also not my favorite AG animal of all time, although I admit I am not a huge fan of the AG animals in general. It just has a weird feeling to its fur. I don't have sensory issues, but I would think this would bother someone who has them. Since I sew, I just pay a lot of attention to how materials feel in your hand. I think it's part of das Ding an sich, and I apologize for dragging Kant into a doll blog.

I am happy with this picture of Kaya spaying on the beaver from behind a tree. I think it's a realistic scenario. How else can I work the beaver into a picture? I am thinking about it.

I really love dolls with their dolls. I try to get the dolls belonging to the AG dolls when possible. I still need Clara for Samantha and Amelia Earhart for Kit.

However, Kaya has her doll now, and they are so cute together! Such a pretty picture.

Formal Festive Outfit

 I really liked the Formal Festive Outfit when it arrived, and I meant to buy it directly from AG.

However, I put it off too long, and was sad to see it had been taken off the website.

I was so lucky to find it at the Mattel Toy Store!

I just thought it had a lot of potential, and not just for boy dolls.

Ellie got to wear it first, but she and Mara will be sharing it, and other girls might get a turn too.

The bow tie is a separate piece. I like the plaid they used, it looks very classic.

The suspenders button to the pants in the front. They are sewn on in the back. This limits the mix and match potential of the pants, unless you tucked the suspenders inside. On the other hand, this makes it hard to lose them.

The shoes are okay. I have definitely seen worse shoes from AG, and I have seen better shoes. I am annoyed by shoes that have the soles stick out beyond the side of the shoes, like these do. Maryellen's saddle shoes do this as well. The shoes do have mix and match potential.

This could also be used as a music recital outfit.

I am really happy to have this outfit, and Ellie and Mara are too!