W Club Exclusive Victoire Roux Monte Carlo

The second 2013 W Club exclusive has been announced and is available for ordering. It's a red haired Victoire Roux called Monte Carlo. She retails for $125 and has an expected shipping date in the fall of this year.

This doll has rooted hair in an updo, applied lashes, and cat eye facial screening. She includes a lovely pink velvet swing coat, black ruffled satin gown, black chapeau, black gloves, a pearl necklace and matching drop earrings, heeled sandals, and a martini glass.

This doll includes a stand and brand new polka dot packaging. Members have until 10 AM, May 28, to preorder this doll, and dolls are limited to one per member.

Photos are property of Integrity Toys.

Pan Am Stewardess from Madame Alexander

Alex as a Pan Am Stewardess

In my regularly scheduled doll promotional email this morning, I received some interesting new releases from Madame Alexander, courtesy of Dollsville. These two lovely dolls are due in July of this year, and have a lovely retro vibe about them--enough so I couldn't let the day pass without sharing.

From the 16" fashion doll collection is Pan Am 16" Stewardess. From her impeccably groomed blonde curls and elegantly screened make-up, down to her white gloved hands and black pumps, you're sure to get the best service available. She wears the tweed blue suit of Pan Am including logo pin, matching cap, and even includes a fabulous travel bag. Alex is limited to only 150 dolls and retails for $169.95, though Dollsville has her listed as a preorder special for $149.99.

Additionally, check out the 10" Pan Am Stewardess. She is a limited edition of 200 dolls, and retails for $139.95. Dollsville has her listed as a pre-order special for $124.99.

Photos property of Alexander Doll Company, courtesy of Dollsville.com.

Pan Am Stewardess, 10".

Discovering a blog about dollhouses

While working on my recent restoration projects of 1950s Mattel furniture, I came across some blog postings on "Leftcoastmini" that featured some of the author's collection of this same furniture.

One is about the living room set, while the other highlights the bedroom set.

The blog is about collecting dollhouses for dolls of various sizes - it's quite fascinating. I highly suggest checking it out.

Restoring a 1950s Mattel couch

Poppy Parker, relaxing on her restored Mattel couch.

My friend, Kathie, recently acquired a wooden couch, made in the 1950s by Mattel (even before they started manufacturing our beloved Barbie). As you'd expect with something a half-century old, the foam inside the couch cushions had disintegrated into dust. The fabric was still intact, though, so we decided that all that needed to be done was replace the foam inserts. Here's how it was done:

Step 1: Find the end of each cushion that was hand-sewn closed and open it up with a seam ripper.