Previous Month's Gossip
   Pat's Collections
   Detroit 2001 Convention Report
   Tour My Barbie Room
   The Teresa Project

7/30 --  I'm back from the Convention, after the worst time I've ever had flying (I only got in 4 1/2 hours later than scheduled and to a different airport).  The Convention itself was wonderful, though.  The big announcement was that the 2004 Convention will be in Asheville, NC.  Click here to view the beginning of my pictures.  I will have a lot more pics, and a full report, in the next few days.

7/21 -- Well, it looks like I have enough time to squeeze one more update in between all the last minute packing for convention.  I hope to meet a lot of you there.  If you can't attend, here are a few places you can get live updates directly from the Convention:  Barbie Collectibles will have a daily wrap-up starting Wednesday, and Sandi Holder will be covering the Convention for Virtual Dolls.com.  The link takes you to the Barbie Section, I assume that is where her coverage will be.  And of course I will have a full report compelte with lots of pictures when I return.  If you will be at the convention, there will be a gathering for pictures Tuesday in Sandi's room and Thursday in the Hotel Lobby (this one is for Vicky's mag, Dolls In Print).

I was able to get all 3 of the Nutcracker Boys after only 4 trips to K-Mart this week, and someone (Thanks, Lisa) picked up the 3 girls for me, so I have the set.  Now I hear the Christmas Kellys (the Nutcrackers WEREN'T the Christmas ones???) are out, so the hunt starts all over.  You can see them in the picture at the top of Chrissy's News Page.  They are also available as AA dolls.

I saw all 3 Glam & Jam dolls this week, as well as several all of the 2001 Charm FA's which  I hadn't seen in person yet.  You can see pics of the FA's at Felicity's site.  I also saw the Munsters in person ... this set was not on my list, but it is so well done I might have to change my mind!

You can check out Barbie's latest vehicle, the Pet Doctor on the Go SUV, at the Newsflash.  Maybe it's just me, but it looks like the same old van.  Is Mattel trying to get us to buy more by just giving it a different, gimmicky name?  No, they'd never do something like that to their loyal customers, would they?

The latest new from Sandi Holder on the Silkstones is that there will be an Accessory Pack to go along with next year's line.  The price will be in the $25 - $30 range, no other info is available yet.

Thanks to Chi on Vicky's Board for pointing out what a great job the Amazon.com photographers do.  I never really clicked on the pictures to look at the additional images before.  Did you know they open and photograph one of every item they sell, then they return the opened items to the manufacturer or donate them to charity.  Check out Arabian Nights and Frank Sinatra for a sample of their great, fun photography.

Getting bored with all those OOAK Barbies?  Check out some adorable OOAK Kellys:  Premiere Night and Royal Gala, both by Pam in NM.  It must be really difficult to work in such a small scale.

Last night I stopped in KB and they had so many new dolls!  They always get everything first, but they have the highest prices (unless there's a sale).  I saw Cast Party, Holiday Celebration (much prettier in person, the pics don't do her justice, but she was $44.99 there!), Jam N Glam Barbie (no Teresa or Christie :( ) and Arabian Nights Giftset.  I know some of these have been around for awhile, but we seem to get everything last in NY and this is the only place I have seen any of these in person. They also had the $29.99 Addams Family set, $19.99 Between Takes, and a bunch of Pink Box (Cool Clips, Picinic Perfect, etc.) Buy One Get One Free.  For Karen & Linda ... this was the KB in the Smithhaven Mall if you feel the shopping itch, LOL.

If you're going to Detroit (11 days and counting!!!!), you might want to check out the Collector's Spotlight on the Barbie Collectibles site.  The Featured Collector is the Club that is hosting the Convention.

The 2002 Convention, Rocky Mountain Mod, already has a website up.  You can print out a registration form (make sure to print 2 copies).  The registration fee is $235, and applications must be postmarked between August 6 and September 15.  No overnight mail will be accepted.  Good Luck, everyone!

Another new item pops up on eBay, Holiday Excitement is this year's Grocery/Drug Store Christmas Doll.  What is it with all the Christmas dolls coming out in July anyway?  The stores all have the Summer clothes on clearance and are starting to put out Winter stuff, too.  What's the rush?

Check out this picture on Vicky's Board.  It seems Cuddly Soft Kelly is going to be joined by a few Cuddly Soft Friends this year.  I like how the high chair converts to a play table.

Vivian has added a Petition to her Teresa Project.  The ultimate goal is to print it out and submit all the signatures to Mattel.  Take a minute and sign it, get Teresa the recognition she deserves!

A collector (sorry, you didn't sign your name) e-mailed me about the Witch Barbie I posted a picture of last week.  The doll is actually called Enchanted HAlloween Barbie and was found in a Drug Store called Rinaldi's for $13.99.  Thanks for the info!

If you participated in the Christmas in July Swap, please make sure your gift goes out by today.  Take a minute to post on the message board and tell everyone what you got!

I have a few pictures to share today ... here are some of my girls dressed in the FA Dazzle Gowns (sorry, I'm not much of a photographer).  Here's a picture from the BCO Doll Tour.  L to R are Mike's Doll (visiting me), Jodie's Doll (visiting Karen) and Lisa's Doll (visiting Linda).

Some hot scoop from Sandi Holder on the 2002 Silkstone line, "not confirmed, the Wedding Silkstone doll will be a brunette, the Giftset will be called Jet Set Trousseau featuring a ash brown Silkstone doll, the FM  #4 will be  in pink lingerie with short blonde hair.  The fashions will be a short black cocktail dress and a Car Touring Outfit.  Again, this has not been confirmed, but sounds cool!"  Thanks for sharing the info, Sandi!

Well, ever since the first Dorothy Barbie we've been hearing that Mattel won't make a Wicked Witch Barbie (the porcelain one isn't Barbie) because that is not a "good image" for their doll.  Once again, they have changed their minds.  She's not quite a Wicked Witch, but check out this Witch Barbie on eBay.  She looks like maybe a Supermarket Exclusive, although she's a little early for Halloween.  If you see this doll in any stores, let me know, I want to pick this one up!

This years "sisters" set will be a Ski Vacation, picture at Your Old Friends Doll Shop.

My Favourite Doll has put up a price list with pricing for most of the 2002 line.  Check it out to get an idea of how you need to budget for next year.

An update on the Kelly & Friends Nutcracker Dolls ... They are starting to show up in TRU's around the country at $6.99 each according to Lil Friends.

Just a reminder, today is the deadline to sign up for the BCO Christmas in July Swap.  My kids will be picking names out of a hat tonight to match everyone up, and I will e-mail you the name and address of who you are buying for tomorrow.  Remember, mail your gift by 7/14 at the latest.  If you still want to sign up, e-mail me before 8:00 tonight (the kids have to be in bed by 8:30, LOL).  Don't miss out on the fun!

Time for another shameless eBay plug ... I am trying to raise some spending money for the Convention, so I have listed a few of my girls who have fallen out of my good graces on eBay.  Check them out, bid early, bid often, LOL.  Thanks for looking.

Many dealers are reporting the arrivals of 40th Anniversary Ken, Caucasian and AA as well as Flapper Minnie.  I also saw the very cute Kelly & Pony gift set at TRU this weekend.

Today's "Surprise of the Day" at KBKids is The Addams Family Set for $29.99.  With the $5 off $30 coupon they e-mailed to everyone (you can find it here), just spend another penny and you can get it for $25!  Some "cheap" suggestions:  Evening Bouquet FA for $1.99 or Superslide Kelly for $4.99.

I am crazy about the Kelly Dolls, as anyone who reads regularly knows, but not as crazy as some people, apparently.  Check out this eBay Auction for the Nutcracker Kellys and Tommys.  At most they might cost $10 each or $60 total.  The auction is already up to $152!!!  That's insane!

Another one of my favorite things is the Accessory Sets, I just love all those little detailed pieces. Felicity's FA website has pictures of 2 new Accessory Bonanza sets (click on Accessories under 2001 Fashions).  She also has two new Mix n Match FA sets.  I love the black jacket with Turquoise Trends, and the Bellbottoms and fuschia shoes with Magenta Moods are way cool!

If you are a BCO member, you should have gotten an e-mail from me yesterday to sign up for the Annual Christmas in July Swap.  If you got one ... why haven't you signed up yet?  If for some reason you didn't get one, please let me know and I will re-send it to you.