Differences in AG doll and AGING your Doll

There are some OBVIOUS differences in the times your PC doll was made. this Site has tons of info on dating correctly ( though you may still be off a bit).

 AG Wikia says this about the dolls. You can see noticeable changes over time and as Mattel started to mass produce the dolls more  in China.  Here you have 3 pre-mattel dolls ( PM) and one transitional doll. Can you tell?

Kirsten ( on R) has such a PALE skin tone and the neck stamping of ALL CAPS in perfect lettering- she is a transitional doll- but is still marked PC on the back of her neck- AG peeps like to say she is JAUNDICE looking and that is pretty accurate.

Samantha and Kirsten are made around the same time - both PM with a GOOD coloring in their skin- my guess is both were made between 1990-1996.

This KIT is slightly earlier than Samantha- her coloring is more like a paint and her hair is dry and brittle. All these dolls have soft brown lashes.

This stamp is a good indicator of a Transitional  ERA Doll. she could have been made in 1997-2000. My guess is nearer to 2000-02 before they did away with neck stamps altogether.

notice the trans doll on right has darker- less soft lashes and you can see the difference in color in the makeup! See how Kit's lashes seem thinner too? well. Have fun DATING/AGING your PC doll and enjoy learning all about the beginnings of PC dolls! 

doll placemats...

So- if you haven't figured it out ... these cute doll placemats are coasters!!! 

You can find them almost anywhere from Target to the Thrift shop!

HOW CUTE!

The BEAUTY SALON for our AG dolls!

 My Girls got the Salon Chair and the caddy and extras for Valentine's Day! They were OVERJOYED!

We bought the chair of CL and the caddy and accessories ( sold together) of Ebay. We scored big time and saved a bundle. 

 The girls don't care if things are OLD or used before- everything was in excellent condition too!

If you don't feel like buying one but want to MAKE one- click here!

 I labored the night before and made tiny red skirts for the girls and put cute felt and foam stickers on their plain 3/4 sleeve tees! They ALL had a great Valentine's Day!

my current projects

I'm Re-habing 2 Samantha Dolls and one is from late 80-early nineties and one is from mid 1990 but both are pre- mattel and  i have learned so much about getting skin conditioned, hair straightened or curly, re-stringing and stuffing and KEEPING AS MUCH INTACT as possible. In my opinion- the value is lost once EXTRA parts from the AG hospital, are added to PC dolls. My big dilemma was putting in AG eyelashes which would essentially just give my PM PC doll AG doll eyes and lashes- which are NOT soft and brown and instead , black, plastic and stiff. It would be fine if i wanted to just give her to one of the kids but, I'm not doing that- she will later be sold in a set later this year! My 2nd doll needed her leg put back on ( yep, i did it too), skin care and hair care- that's about it!
Here's Sam #1. she is older and has better pigmentation- in my opinion. In the next few posts i will show you the color differentials in the YEARS and plastic DYES and such. It's very interesting indeed- well, if you like this kind of stuff!

EASTER is around the Corner...

I found this tiny basket in a bag of odds and ends at our local thrift shop-  there were 5! And they are PERFECTLY sized for our dolls and the Easter Eggs  are fabulously glittery and found at Dollar tree.

I used scrap ribbon( martha stewart craft) and tiny flowers ( also from dollar tree ) to decorate the baskets!

 Just look AROUND and see what is at your local TS and can be used for your dolls! You will save buckets of cash and have some one of a kind pieces! 

Valentine's FINDS and crafts!

Happy Valentine's Everyone!  Share the LOVE! the Table was from a craigslist seller selling AG stuff. She was so sweet!

 I Made the cake and simply got sweethearts for the cookies( not pictured)! The Girls are ready to PARTY and share the LOVE!

and check out this cute mini globe- perfect for a centerpiece on a doll table for Valentine's day!

And our CUTE polymer Lollipops- we used a shiny varnish to give them a REAL look! My son keeps trying to sneak them and i know he will figure it out that the "candy " mom leaves out is all fake- one day!

Duct Tape and DIY doll purse crafts

this pinterest post by Anna @ Doll diaries inspired me to try it for myself!
 Here's what mine turned out like

I made a coordinating headband as well! I added metallic trim in aqua for more a real purse feel/look.

The mini flowers are from MS and are available at most craft stores like Michaels/Joanns.

I added ribbon to the back of the sequins strap BUT I HATE IT- so don't add ribbon to the back!

I used sparkling polkadot tulle from Hobby Lobby and did the headband in a gorgeous green crinkle taffeta fabric! and lined the inside with simple grosgrain.

I added velcro to both side BUT- the hot glue comes right off the tape so- back the tape with a thin piece of fabric that will help bond it- or use a better glue like gorilla glue, super glue etc.

There is a learning curve here and i really think this project is appropriate for girls over 8. It was rough for the 2 six yr olds who got frustrated with tape issues! And of course- the adults projects will always look better but the kids really are proud of what they made! It was super fun and we made 6 purses in about an hour!