A hump day on which I bought nothing for dolls! (my original Chatty Cathy)

Slowly, slowly I'm organizing my Chatty Cathy photos taken digitally over the years. I've had a digital camera since 2001, so that's a very long time. 17 years! So I'm dating them on the photo, and adding descriptions once I've added a frame.

Here is my original Chatty Cathy Canadian blonde bob doll with a soft face, peachy limbs, glassine eyes, original dress and shoes. Her panties and socks disappeared decades ago.

I found the original box yesterday after a long hunt in my closet. It's stained on the front. There isn't a coloured photo like the American boxes, just an outline, and the doll wasn't even wearing this dress, and she didn't have pigtails, but alas, this is the way in Canada...always the rejects of things. It's rather sad to say the least. 

The back of the box, where the coloured photo should have gone, which would make it the front. See how Canadians were cheated? A boring box.

One of the sides, with "Fabrique au Canada" on the side; the other side is in English.

The wonderful thing about my doll, though, is that due to collector demand, she is more valuable than plain old USA dolls; she is made by dee & cee, a Canadian company which produced the Chatty Cathy dolls for Mattel. It didn't last long though, only until 1965. I love the top of my box. It has the price tag from Simpson Sears, where my Mom bought the doll in 1964. I got her for Christmas, and I still remember opening the box by the green couch in my parent's living room, and seeing her blonde hair. I remember screaming in delight. Thanks to my Dad, I still have this box. He was a pack rat of the grandest order.

So although I went out today in the pouring rain, and looked at Our Generation dolls at The Bay, and resisted temptation and didn't buy anything, I'm pleased because I've been enjoying the dolls that I do have.

By Loretta Houben

What I bought on this dreary hump day...

Isn't this delightful?

It's Mary Ellen's living room set, not at all cheap.

But I don't trust American Girl company at all, so I decided to splurge and get this today, using the remaining balance of Robert's Christmas gift card. I'm always wary that I might lose the card! Well, now it's gone. 

Leona and I visited the AG store 2 weeks ago, and she said she would definitely buy all the items for one decade, such as Mary Ellen, as she loved completed collections. I thought that was a terrific idea. The set was very expensive. $74 Cdn! It includes a very well made plastic table, known as a boomerang table, with the most adorable lamp which lights up; a tiny poodle ornament, a copy of an April 1955 TV guide, and a 1955 newspaper. That was the year my parents were married in Sept.

It reminds me of the Mad Men series.

I also bought a cute Glitter Girls outfit for $14.99 Cdn, which includes a top, skirt, shoes and socks.

My Wellie Wishers doll love it!

She now has a total of 3 outfits to her name.

The sandals don't close properly, though.

She really likes Mary Ellen's table too. It's such fun to visit the AG boutique. There wasn't a living soul in it when I was there. It's 3 blocks from my chiropractor, so I make sure I always stop in after an appointment!

By Loretta Houben

American Girl Company in trouble!

This is definitely not good news.

There is so much that is not good these days.

I wonder why this is happening. Do you think it's inevitable?

What will become of my AG collection?

I love all my dolls dearly. I was so happy when an AG doll boutique opened here in Vancouver in 2014. That's only 4 years ago. Every chance I get, I visit that store, even if I don't buy anything. I was sorry when it relocated to a different location a few years ago, as that store is harder for me to get to.

What do YOU think of this news?

I snipped it from the website, as often when I leave links they disappear over time.

By Loretta Houben

My sewing room desk.

I finally did it!

It took me one year.

I'm not a speedy person.

I worked on this for a long time, as what is here is what I'm keeping for a while.

This maple wood desk and hutch was bought for our son Matthew when he was young, and he used it for school, and for his crafts. He moved out in 2008, which will be 10 years ago this fall.

At first I thought I'd sell it, but then realized the wood was beautiful, and the pieces are made in Canada. So to replace it would be foolish.

I put a few of my favourite American Girl dolls on top.

Ruthie, Isabelle, Josephina, and Tenney, along with a doll plate and a vintage dolly picture. This is to keep me inspired.

Here is a closeup of my sewing books and magazines, plus my Shutterfly photo books. On the left are my doll books. These are books I enjoy and use over and over again.

The Dollarama bins were $1.25 Cdn each, and hold all my patterns. They used to be in drawers and I found that too hard to access.

I'm so pleased with the result.

Now for the rest of the room!

I need to attack that fabric!

By Loretta Houben

A new outfit for my Wellie Wishers doll.

Here is my little Wellie Wisher's doll who I haven't yet named, wearing a new outfit!

I purchased it using some of my gift card from Robert. I didn't wish to buy another AG doll, so I will spend the money on doll clothes and props.

This outfit which consists of glitter shoes, socks, skirt, sleeveless top and sweater, was only $14.99 Cdn! It's part of the Glitter Girls domain. GG dolls are made by Our Generation and they have very cute outfits which are sold at Chapters/Indigo stores. I was really impressed by the variety and the low price. I chose this one because it has hearts for Valentine's Day coming up next month.

Isn't it sweet?

By Loretta Houben

Flashback from 2004....

I'm slowly going through my older doll photos, and putting them in date order. This will take some time, but it's also quite fun, although tedious!

In 2004 we had a lot of snow, and I'd begun to collect Chatty Cathy dolls in 2002, so I decided to create scenes with props.

 This is a tedious process and requires much patience.

But it's also therapeutic and rewarding!

I used a brown eyed, brunette vintage CC and a brunette pigtail CC, wearing vintage red velvet coats by Mattel, and one has a vintage hat. 

 Another fun thing is to put the photos in a collage.

 Of course, being dolls, accidents will happen!

 Oops!

 I like to use props I already have, too.

 Aren't they adorable?

I hope you're having fun in the winter cold!

The news sounds grim from the East coast. I pity those poor people. We had a little snow this winter, but nothing like 2016 and 2017, from Dec to April. Stay warm!

By Loretta Houben

Meeting Luciana Vega, the 2018 GOTY.

On Wednesday, January 3, 2018 I went downtown with my sister Leona, to Broadway and Granville AG boutique, and checked out the Luciana Vega GOTY of the year, and her amazing space habitat. I only know it was designed by NASA; I don't know the story. And I know it's all about Mars. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be on Mars or not!

I think the space habitat is fascinating!

When I was in Grade One back in 1966, all the rage at the time was space exploration. I myself dearly wished to fly in a rocket to Mars, thanks to Miss Pickerell. (children's book in the 60's)

I wouldn't purchase this set, as it's huge, but it sure looks interesting.

Here is another view of the space habitat.

It's Very Expensive at $439 Cdn, plus tax!

I'd personally rather have the blue Volkswagon that was around a few years ago. 

I won't be getting Luciana, as she has purple streaks in her hair. I'm not sure why, except maybe it's a modern look. ?? I'm not modern at all! But I don't care for strange hair colours or tattoos. It's just how I am...

I loved the wall displays, and Luciana's box.

These two items came home with me.

Robert gave me a gift card for Christmas, so I chose the Luciana NASA souvenir box, and a Glitter Girls outfit as it fits the Wellie Wisher doll.

Here is the box opened.

I think this is adorable, and a great deal for only $25 Cdn if you can't afford the rest of the set.

By Loretta Houben

A new American Girl doll.

Here is my first boy doll from American Girl.

I succumbed and purchased him last month.

I came up with an idea for a story involving my paternal Grandfather, Jack Williams. This is Logan Everett, but I've re-named him Jack. I plan to portray him in adventures in North Wales at a young age. Hopefully I will learn how to create movies and I will put it on YouTube. 

I got him 20% off on an Indigo sale, so I didn't get to pick him out personally, as he arrived in store. It's really convenient to pick up your mailed item in the store, as you get an email when it arrives! There's a separate kiosk for online pickup so you don't have to wait in a long line.

At first I wasn't going to buy a boy doll, but when I visited Blaenau Ffestiniog in May 2017 I felt like I could write my Grandfather's story. He was orphaned at age 11, and had to work on a farm taking care of horses, while his younger brothers were lodgers at a different house. At age 23 he immigrated to Canada; the only one of his family to do so. His young life intrigues me. My goal for 2018 is to imagine what his life was like as a young boy, and write it, then turn it into my first doll movie! Stay tuned.

By Loretta Houben

My doll collection.

One of my goals for 2018 is to organize my digital doll photos by year. I began doing this 2 years ago, but it still isn't complete. I'd then like to put them on a CD. I know that CD's are going out of style, but as long as they are usable I will use them!

Aren't these dolls lovely?

I got them in 2013. We had a small Christmas tree then, and I'm so happy we now have a large one again! I really missed it. The small tree was on top of our piano, which I've since given away. I didn't play it any longer. 

I do enjoy my dolls. They make me smile!

By Loretta Houben

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year 2018!

As you know, Sears is nearly gone here in Canada.

A few weeks ago, I found a few Newberry dolls on sale at Sears in Metrotown, with some props. If I owned a warehouse and knew I could re-sell the dolls I would have bought quite a few, but I controlled myself and I purchased this adorable gingerbread set.

It's very cute and I'd never seen it anywhere else.

It's sturdy and has a removable sign, and 4 little drinks, and cute gingerbread cookies in a covered container.

Kit is entranced! 

I set it up on my kitchen hutch. It matches my other gingerbread ornaments.

By Loretta Houben