National Dog Day

Today is National Dog Day. I'm not sure if that applies to Canada too. Anyhow, here is my favourite dog, Kelsie, in 2003 posing with my dolls. She enjoyed everything I did, both inside and out. Where I went, she went. I began to collect Chatty Cathy dolls in earnest in 2002. I discovered the joy of buying online on eBay. This was a new concept to me, and I loved it. Back then shipping prices were quite reasonable. 

It always looked like Kelsie was smiling in photos. She was a very happy dog. I still really miss her. She died on March 17 of this year. She was 17 years old and she lived a really good life. I don't think I'll get a dog just yet to replace her, though. But a dog is a great thing to have. A dog makes you happy, and with Kelsie I would laugh a great deal each day.

A dog is a great friend. A dog will never let you down, like people can sometimes do. Here is Alika, my Hawaiian AG doll I purchased from Honolulu in 2014. She really likes her dog, Piki, which I got last year at the PNE.

Valentine's Day photos with Chatty Cathy!

Here is my only My Twinn doll, Bobby.

I purchased him used, as he reminds me so much of my hubby when he was a child. Therefore I named him Bobby!

He is quite entranced with my childhood Chatty Cathy doll, Catherine. Aren't they sweet?

 I posed these beauties in 2016.

The one on the left is an original Chatty Cathy brunette Canadian doll, the one in the middle is my childhood Canadian doll, and the one on the left is a Judy H. doll I bought a while ago. Aren't they darling?

I love Valentine's Day! 

I made the mailbox setup, using a mailbox I actually bought at a Canadian Target store when they once were in business here. (it still seems like a weird dream to me)

I glued it to a paper towel stick and modge podged fabric onto it.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FROM CHATTY CATHY!

By Loretta Houben

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

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

Original Chatty Cathy PJs and hand sewn nightie.

In 2004, I discovered the joy of sewing for Chatty Cathy. I bought vintage patterns on eBay, and developed my own style.

Here is a cute nightie and mob cap for Chatty.

This is Chatty wearing a vintage PJ outfit with cap and slippers, made by Mattel in the 1960's. You can find them for a reasonable price on eBay.

The bunk bed set belonged to my sister Leona and I. I think we got it for Christmas in 1969, as the next year my Mom crocheted a bedspread for my bunk bed while she was in hospital after Marie was born. 

In 2004 I made a house for my Chatties on the windowseat in our bedroom. The dresser is a jewelry box, and the little lamp was from Ikea. 

Things have changed in 13 years, so I no longer have this displayed. I took the photos using our 1.5  megapixel camera. It has very low resolution compared to today's cell phone cameras!

Although so much has changed in such a short period of time, my love for dolls will never change. I still set up scenes and take photos, but in 2018 I would like to do it much more often, as my dolls are feeling a bit neglected.

Good night!

By Loretta Houben

Dolly play...

This was one of my prettiest window scenes, done in 2006. Lately I just don't seem to have the time or the energy for this, sad to say, but I'm trying to get back into it. The dolly groups, facebook pages, blogs and YouTubes are all inspiring me greatly, and I find when I "play" with the dolls, re-arranging them, dressing them up etc, it relaxes me and makes me feel peaceful instead of hyped because of all the evil news I hear on social media. (not just TV anymore) So I am now looking at my doll collection as a Stress Reliever, and therefore very valuable!

by Loretta Houben

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, it's that time of year here in Canada.

I love it at this time of the season. It's just perfect!

The weather is great, the flowers are still blooming, the pumpkins are at their peak, and it isn't anywhere near Christmas. 

The only thing lately is that Halloween has appeared to take over in the stores, but that's a money making grab so I try to ignore it. I'm not very fond of gory Halloween decorations. 

My two vintage Chatty Cathy dolls are showing off a sign I made a few years ago, and one of them is wearing a pilgrim dress and hat I made, and sold. I would like to make another to keep, but of course, I haven't yet got around to it!

Today I'm thankful my parents are coming for turkey dinner, and I'm thankful to live in a free country, in Canada, where we can still practice what we believe, and are still free to attend church.

Have a wonderful day!

By Loretta Houben

Summertime fun!

Long ago when I began to collect Chatty Cathy vintage dolls, I enjoyed setting up scenes for them. Here is a back yard scene using a child's pool filled with a few inches of water, and some cute props.

Tiny Chatty baby is deciding which fruit to try.

The umbrella and towel came from the Build a Bear shop at Metrotown. These are all vintage dolls.

I bought the pool at a $ store. They don't seem to be made anymore, as I can no longer find them. The doll on the left is a JC Penny reproduction doll from 1998. The doll on the right is vintage, wearing a vintage swim suit from old stock doll wear on eBay.

Here two of the Chatty dolls take a break in the shade and read a CC newsletter I purchased on eBay. The little trike is a reproduction.

By Loretta Houben

Tea Time Tuesday!

Tea time Tuesday!

I'm doing this on Facebook, so I'll also add my photos here. I've had many Chatty Cathy teatimes in my home. I think I've covered all the types of teas one could have, and it's been a lot of fun!

Up above is my childhood Chatty Cathy doll on the right in the large blue gingham tea dress. I bought the dress on eBay, and since this was photographed I've adjusted the hemline!

Way back in 2004 I had been collecting Chatty dolls for 2 years, and met a friend in a Yahoo group.

She lived close by and would often come over for tea.

We had a lot of fun.

That's her doll on the left. This was an Easter/spring themed tea, and I had made home baked sugar cookies.

My 2nd tea time was held in the living room at the coffee table. I made ham and cheese roll ups, with a fresh mango/blueberry salad, and purchased dessert.

I always serve a black tea such as Red Rose or Tetley. I don't care for any other tea! I used my Dimity Rose tea set by Royal Albert.

Close up of the goodies.

My 3rd tea time was at Christmas.

I used my Poinsettia pattern tea set by Royal Albert. Leona gave me the teapot at Christmas 1981. I've always treasured it.

This tea was late in the afternoon and I served Christmas desserts. I had the JC Penny Christmas Chatty Cathy doll. She's really cute and says Christmas things. I made the little Chatty Cathy bags. Stay tuned for more tea time Tuesdays!

By Loretta Houben

Blue Chatty Cathy dresses.

I haven't posted on this blog in ages.

You can blame it on "life"!

My Dad has been quite ill with kidney stones, so I was distracted for a while with that process.

He's doing better now so it's back to the dolls!

In one of my Facebook groups for Chatty Cathy, there is a photo op for dolls in blue dresses. I found this one above from 2004, when I used to sew a lot for the dolls.

I made these two dresses. I sold them at a retreat I attended in El Paso, Texas that June.

Here is my original Chatty Cathy doll I got in 1964.

I still have her. She's the star of my collection!

She is wearing a robins egg blue Canadian dress, which I got from a guy at my Dad's work; his little girl gave away her toys when she was finished, so my Dad would bring home large boxes of stuff which we just loved.

I had this dress for a long time before I realized what exactly it was! It's actually quite valuable.

I don't have the Canadian apron though.

The stroller was a 5th birthday present in 1965.

All my toys are now antiques.

By Loretta Houben

Valentine's Day dresses.

Ten years ago, in 2007, I made these dresses to sell on eBay. I was never a prolific seamstress, but I used to do well with all the things I made. It seemed that there were more hours in the day back then! When you keep busy you seem to get way more done. I can't quite explain it!

Ten years ago, pretty fabric was easier to find, and eBay fees were reasonable. Now everything is much more difficult, and our Canadian $ is not doing well. 

It's nice to look back at my old photos and remember all the fun times I had funding my doll hobby.

By Loretta Houben

Slumber party and a Valentine's Party.

I began collecting vintage Chatty Cathy dolls in 2003, and in 2004 I began to collect props for them. The addiction hasn't slowed down! Above I used a jewelry box for a chest of drawers, an Ikea lamp, and a darling bunk bed which was a Christmas gift in 1970. My sister Leona and I shared the bed and had many hours of fun. The Chatty dolls fit if they don't really lay down. Chatty baby fits fine. I made the nightgown and hat, and the other clothes are vintage 1960's.

This was the first time I decorated for Valentine's Day. I've always set up the doll scenes on my bedroom windowsill. At the moment it's way too crowded and needs to be weeded out again. The table above was purchased at Michael's craft store. I made the red doily which serves as a rug. The stove is vintage from the late 1950's. A friend of the family gave it to us years ago.

It's a lot of fun setting up the dolls and re-arranging them!

By Loretta Houben

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I'm pleased because this year I took quite a few dolly photos, and I blogged here many times too! Yay! It's lovely to pose and play with a doll collection.

I have so many dolls and sadly some of them have been quite neglected.

Above are two of my American Girl dolls; the one on the left is from Hawaii, when I was there in 2014 and there was a boutique in the main mall in Waikiki, which was only open for 6 months! I happened to be there and spotted it, so I splurged and bought this doll whose # I've since forgotten. But I call her my Hawaii doll and she is still nameless, poor thing.

The doll on the right is one of my favourites; Grace, the GOTY for 2015. She is a beautiful doll with pretty eyes and freckles. I took this photo last year.

This photo is from 2013. These are vintage Chatty Cathy dolls made by Mattel, the same company which now produces the AG dolls. (which I find amusing)

It's fun to incorporate your doll collection into the decorating in your home!

I hope all of you have a peaceful and happy New Year in 2017!

By Loretta Houben

Chatty Cathy and Barbie.

I took these photos in January 2015.

I have thousands of photos which I'm trying to organize into their correct folders. That may take a while! This is one of my Chatty Cathy dolls; a hard face, blue decal eyed, brunette pigtail doll. Above she is holding my first "Barbie" doll, which is the only kind my Mom would buy for me. I got her on my 5th birthday, and my sister Leona got the same doll, but with white hair. They were purchased at Woolworth's in Vancouver BC. The doll is wearing her original dress with original shoes. Mysteriously I never named my dolls. The dress Chatty is holding was one I got in 1966 for a Christmas gift. The "Teen Fashion" case was 99 cents and it came with my doll.

I've blogged before about my Francie (a 9th birthday gift) and my Stacy (an 8th birthday gift from my aunt Frieda). I still have their original swim suits.

Robert has two of his original toys; a teddy bear and this Kubkar which he made in 1970 when he was in cub Scouts.

It's fun to keep your childhood toys!

By Loretta Houben

Wishing you a merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Have a blessed weekend.

From Loretta

Collecting Chatty Cathy dolls...and using them in scenes.

2004 was the year I began sewing for Chatty Cathy. 2003 was the year I began collecting her. I discovered vintage CC's on eBay and was thrilled. Interestingly, each Chatty doll is different; no two seem to be alike! So I have many of them in my closets and rooms. The one in these photos is a simple prototype with blue eyes and blond hair. I made her a Pilgrim outfit as my Mom is American, so I'm actually dual but never took out citizenship as I wish to remain 100% Canadian. I used a filter for the second shot so it looks vintage.

 This was the first time I used Chatty Cathy in a scene!

Our Canadian Thanksgiving Day is the second Monday in October, so that's only two weeks from now.

Every Pilgrim outfit which I ever made I sold, so I still don't own one for myself.

By Loretta Houben

How to make socks for Chatty Cathy.

Back in 2013 a friend posted pictures of how to make a pair of socks for the Chatty Cathy doll. I can't remember her name! But I saved the pictures and thought I should post them here so I can find them again, as my files are getting way too large.

First purchase a pair of adult size socks. This will make 4 pairs of doll size!

Cut the socks in half, cutting out the heel.

Take one of the tops and cut in half. Each piece will be a sock.

Fold each piece in half to the desired length. Cut the toe area in a rounded shape.

Sew close to the raw edges.

Turn the socks to the right side and put on your Chatty Cathy.

Repeat steps with all the other pieces. With the bottom toe pieces you will have to hem the top edge before you sew up the side raw edges.

These are NOT my photos. If I remember who took them, I'll add the name here. Aren't the socks CUTE?

Have fun!