The Presents in The Box

 

Like a kid on Christmas morning, I am always excited to receive the always beautifully wrapped presents (many of which contain doll-related gifts) that will be in the annual box I receive from my closest out-of-state doll friend, Debra Richardson.  We refer to one another as "bestest" doll friend.

This year's package arrived the week of Christmas and did not disappoint.  From what she has told me, the one I sent her did not either. Like I do for her, Debra probably shops all year for Christmas presents for me.  This package must have weighed 15 pounds!

I will focus only on the doll-related contents, which like a kid (again) are the packages I hunted for first after opening the shipping box on Christmas morning. I selected the ones I thought might contain something doll-related to open first.

Nicole Miller "Take Cover" Barbie-themed, fabric covered, two-doll case

The Nicole Miller Barbie case was one of the first presents I opened.  After unzipping it and saying to myself, "She found one!" I rifled through the contents and I took the following quick photos:

A dress for a one-of-a-kind (OOAK) doll I own, vintage Barbie separates, and a 1970s Barbie clone were inside!  The clone is the "she found one" that caused my excitement.

Here's another quick photo of the Barbie clone, Veronique.  A better photo follows.

Here is another photo of the dress for my OOAK doll that Debra made based on measurements I provided.  The doll models it later.

These are the vintage Barbie mix 'n' match separates that were inside the Barbie case:  red and white check body blouse, which is part of the Barbie picnic set #967 (1959-1961), white cat-eye sunglasses, and vintage Barbie-tagged orange pants from another 1960s Fashion Pak. (The body blouse looks orange and white but it really is red and white as seen here).

Veronique was possibly made for the European market only by Tov Toy.  She wears a navy blue print dress that matches the exterior colors of the Nicole Miller Barbie case.  Black mid-calf boots complete her fashion.  Veronique was offered by an eBay seller from the Netherlands.  I had seen this and other Veroniques on eBay but was not willing to pay the exorbitant shipping.  When Debra asked me for my "wish list" I told her I am always in the market for Black Barbie clones from the '60s and '70s, more specifically, dolls that actually look like #1 Barbie.  Veronique does.  Her legs are made of much thinner plastic than that used by Mattel, but I am thrilled to own her.

Veronique looks very similar to the head sculpt used for the original Barbie as illustrated in this close-up shot.

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In one of our November conversations, Debra asked, "Did you ever find the Beyoncé doll you've been wanting?"  My answer was, "No."  She instructed me to stop looking.  I knew what that meant.

Part of a three-doll set to represent the members of the former singing group, Destiny's Child.  This Beyoncé portrait doll, by Mattel with copyright year of 2005, looks more like the entertainer than any other doll produced to date.  From the three-doll set, I only wanted Beyoncé and now I have her thanks to my "bestest" doll friend, Debra.

A photo of a much younger Beyoncé appears on the back of the box along with a description of Destiny's Child.

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The dress made for my doll, Kizzy (an 8-inch pose-able, hand-carved doll by Kor January), is shown again above and below with the doll wearing it.  I tapered the bodice for a more snug fit and added two buttons to the front. 

Kizzy loves her new dress, which is worn over her original green and tan, sewn-on houndstooth dress.  She sits atop her hand carved stoop holding her two favorite books and her furry companion, Sam.


Here, Kizzy wears her original dress made by the artist which is sewn onto her body

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Because she knows I collect Barbie holiday ornaments, I can count on Debra to always include the current Barbie ornament in my Christmas package.  The 2015 ornament, that I will enjoy on my Barbie ornament Christmas tree next year, is shown above.

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"Presents for All" 10-inch Santa by Kurt Adler

Not exactly doll-related, but close enough for me to include in this post, is an African American "Presents for All" Santa by Kurt Adler.  Debra and I normally exchange Santa figurines, but this year I had asked that she not send a large Santa (10 inches is large) because I am running out of storage room for my Santa collection.  I believe she had already purchased this one prior to my request, which is the reason she sent him to me.  Just like there is always room for one more doll, I have found a place to store Santa and his box until I have the opportunity to enjoy him with the others I will display for Christmas 2016.

As you can see, I received some very nice doll-related items from my "bestest" doll friend, who is more like a sister than a friend, whose friendship I will forever treasure.  

dbg
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Dolls That Arrived For and Near Christmas and Some That Almost Didn't

I participated in two Christmas doll exchanges.  Through my online Yahoo Group, WeLoveBlackDolls, I received Fashion Madness Dwayne, TJ, and Mini Kenya Music Girl. We were to exchange small dolls with the dolls being 12 inches or under.  When asked what I desired, I replied (paraphrased), "Fashion Madness TJ and Dewayne; and if you can find her, Keyshia."  These big headed guys, which have been elusive in my area, were readily available in the sender's area.  I am so glad she asked what I wanted.  Thanks again VW!

 

In another doll exchange, I received So in Style Kara and Kianna.  I just love Kianna's Santa fashion.   These two dolls were immediately incorporated into my Christmas doll decor.   

Totally Coolness Lizette, featured in yesterday's post, was my Christmas doll from me to me.

Doll gifts from Debra R:  Circa 1950s Stockinette Doll by Martha Chase; Guys and Dolls Club-exclusive Celebrate America Ginny from 2009 is redressed for Christmas; her original stars and stripes fashion and shoes were included in the box.  Debra also sent a red Christmas dress for Tonner's 14-inch Dru.

 The above doll-related items in addition to several others that were non-doll related gifts from my "bestest" doll friend were contained in a package that I almost did not receive due to UPS negligence. 

Upon discovery of the missing package, my friend Debra and I were both heartbroken, thinking that the package and its contents would be lost forever.  Expecting the package to be delivered between UPS's estimated delivery window of 3:00 and 7:00 p.m., around 6:30 p.m. on 12/20/2014, I decided to check the UPS website to track the package and was shocked to read their information that it had been left at my front door at 12:48 p.m!  I immediately called UPS to report it as missing.  A nonchalant customer service woman proceeded to tell me what I had just read at the UPS website:  that "the package was left at your front door at 12:48..."  I interrupted her and in a louder-than-normal voice said, "Lady, stop reading off to me what your system shows you.  I know that it says the package was left at my doorstep at 12:48, but I have been here all day.  No one has been on my front porch; and if a package was delivered, and I doubt that it was, your driver did not bother to ring the doorbell as instructed to alert me that he was leaving a package!"  Without an apology or an inkling that she cared, she went on about what steps I and the shipper needed to take to file a claim.

The next afternoon the doorbell rang.  I waited in the bedroom while my husband answered it (hoping it was my package).  I could tell he was speaking to another male.  Finally, he returned to the bedroom holding my package from Debra.   UPS had delivered the package to the wrong address!  Our neighbor, whom we had not met previously, lives three doors down.  Because of the size of the package, he drove it to our house and explained that he received several packages the day before and assumed my package was his, too, until he looked at the label.  Thank God for honest neighbors!  In addition to the dolls shown, there were several other very nice gifts from Debra.  Thank you again and again, Debra R.!

Not a Christmas doll or Christmas present, but Glam Convertible So In Style Trichelle arrived during Christmas week.  She is an appreciation gift for my sending an elusive-to-the-sender, S.I.S. Baby Phat Kara doll.  One act of kindness that did not expect anything in return, did, in fact, generated another.  Thank you again SS!

I hope your Christmas was doll-lightful and uneventful (with reference to gifts that almost did not arrive).

dbg

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Below are images of dolls I incorporated into my Christmas décor this year.

Daddy's Long Legs Santa

Madame Alexander dolls on dining table include this year's Christmas doll, far right, Ribbon Candy.

Shirley Temple-type transitional doll circa 1940s holds a ty Beanie Baby.

Almost Charlie Brown-looking, mini Christmas tree is decorated with Barbie holiday ornaments, one mini Bratz Sasha, and a porcelain angel on top.

In a basket under the full-sized tree are Ginny dolls, an OOAK Ginny Boy, Tonner's Christmas Dru and Gingerbread Dru.  An OOAK baby rests in an antique-style pram.

Emilee and Matoka are inseparable.  They love to wear matching Dollie and Me fashions.

Singing Holiday Sisters, Barbie, Stacie, and Kelly adorn the coffee table in living room alongside another mini tree.

American Girl Cécile and Addy 25th Anniversary mini dolls and the regular issue Mini Cécile visit Santa.

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"Borrowed" this year by my mother and shown below are Tevin and Ayana and the two dolls she "borrowed" last year, all redressed for Christmas.

Tevin and Ayana are the babies seated in red chairs.

Finally, click the arrows to listen to two different versions of the Christmas song that inspired this post.

Have a Merry Christmas and a healthy, productive, prosperous New Year!

dbg

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My Mother Wants "Two or Three More"

The roles of mother and daughter have certainly reversed in some respects between my mother and me. Lord, was she ever so stern when I grew up. I used to wait until the very last minute to ask her permission to do something because there would always be a ton of questions involved regarding my desire to do this thing.  The jury would always be out for an extended period whether or not I would get to do it. Sometimes she would agree.  At other times, the answer was an emphatic no.  Of course I understand her reasoning now, but as a child, I never did because I wanted what I wanted and wished for her to be as lenient as most of my friends' mothers.

Last year I relented and took two of my dolls to my mother's house at her request, "Bring me two of your large dolls dressed for Christmas to use with my decorations." Instinctively, I said, "No," followed by a stern, "you can't have my dolls." A week or so later, of course, I agreed.

32-in Dreamy Walker and 24-in Waiting for Santa before going to Grandmother's on December 7, 2010

The dolls, at Grandmother's on December 7, 2010

Lee Middleton's Waiting for Santa (WFS) and Shindana's Dreamy Walker (DW) were the two dolls I allowed my mother to "borrow" last year. Waiting for Santa's original outfit was perfect to add to Mama's Christmas décor, but I had to redress Dreamy Walker. I did so using a red velvet coat dress that used to be my niece's. It fits DW perfectly. After the holidays, I didn't bother to bring the dolls home.  A few weeks post Valentine's Day, Mama asked me to bring the dolls spring fashions because she was tired of looking at them dressed for Christmas. (I didn't realize they were supposed to be there indefinitely, but I eventually redressed them in pastel colors for her.)

Before leaving home to go to her house on Thanksgiving this year, she called and asked me to bring Dreamy Walker and Waiting for Santa's Christmas dresses. I did, and redressed them as I watched whatever was on TV. As she sampled some of the food and desserts I brought her, she said, "I need two or three more dolls with chairs that I can sit there and there" (pointing to the areas in her living room where she desired the dolls to sit). After looking at her quizzically trying to determine if she was really serious, I said, "No. There's Amberlynn (pointing to a doll I gave her several years ago for Mother's Day that I redressed for Christmas before redressing DW and WFS). "Three is enough," I said.  "The next time you go to Dollar General you should purchase a child's chair and let Amberlynn sit in it," I suggested.

Thinking in my head (now which two, not three, dolls can I redress for Christmas that I don't mind parting with). She begged a little, "Oh, come on, Debbie. I need two or three more."  To allow time for this jury of one to deliberate, before I left, I said, "We'll see." 

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