Barbie (c)

I do love Barbie! And use other people's children as an excuse to continue playing with her and Ken!

me, too (via my daughter)! i've only been collecting barbie for a couple of years (starting in 96 with the happy holidays edition). i'm sorry i didn't start collecting earlier as they won't be producing anymore of them. i'll post a couple of websites that i use as a reference later on as i don't have the urls with me right now.

I have Barbie's from the 70s and 80s as well as an old pre-Barbie barbie

girl! they're worth a ton now depending on their condition. what's a pre-barbie fashion doll? i had a couple of barbies growing up but unfortunately they didn't make it into my adult years.

pre Barbie... some gazillion y.o. thing that my mother got from here grandmother!

Barbie's official website: http://www.barbie.com

The Barbie Collector's Ring is designed just for Barbie web pages! See what's new with Barbie in 1998. Visit Barbie in Singapore, Barbie in Canada, Barbie on Rodeo Drive, you never know where she will be next! This gal gets around! Even meet Barbies Baby Sister Kelly! A great way to bring together Barbie web pages from all around the world. http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/1041/ring.html

i picked up the birthday wishes barbie, first in the series (1999)...guess they did away with the birthday barbie line... http://www.donnas-dolls.com she has a program allowing the serious collector to keep up with the collection! donna is also putting together lists of barbie prices and values. there's the barbie webring, trade site, chat, and lots more. she really likes barbie!

oh, my daughter got the talk with me barbie for christmas and had a blast until she realized barbie didn't answer her questions! haha, it was so cute. the one thing that bothers me about this one is the typical "girly" things she talks about. don't get me wrong, i love it. but my daughter got bored talking about jewelry and shopping! but it's a neat setup...

Zoe got one too, but she had to wait to play with hers until we got our new computer...

i picked up three new barbies!! got the 1999 birthday wishes (for my bday of course, earlier this month) and today, i grabbed toys r us' pink inspiration and toys r us' 50th anniversary. this one is so pretty and is the fanciest one i own. she's beautiful! (oh, and the toys r us dolls were on sale :))

Well, seems we're all wrong about the canine species. They don't only hunt and eat well-hung goods, they are also gatherers. Perhaps we don't derive from primates, but from canines?

it's that pack thing, y'know! (and no, we aren't from primates)

ok, well, i picked up marzipan from the classic ballet series...she's the third in the series (sugar plum fairy and swan lake). the alpha male in my pack believes this wolfie has lost her mind!

And that took him how long to figure? Geez, some fellas... I mean, living with a gator- and barbie-obsessed wolf-turned-hindlegs-walking-hunter-gatherer, you'd expect him to notice at SOME point, but... I only hope he regrets the folly of chiding you after selling them off pays for comfort during your and his silver-furred high age.

me too *grin*

Get him hooked on something stupid, so he can't complain! But: do this only, if total net income is sufficient to fully support multiple manias...

Harley #3 is on sale at Toys R Us Online (http://www.tru.com) they have barbie and ken sold separately for $70.

btw: alex, he's hooked on fishing. a fishing wolf, go figure!

And your cuddly furry - what do you call them in English, German would be "Welpen" - offspring? What do they crave the most?

nintendo and food....

ok, while browsing barbie auctions at http://www.ebay.com, i learned that butterfly art barbie was recalled because she has a tatoo on her tummy tum. personally, i didn't find it offensive, but, because she has been discontinued by mattel, she may be a collector's item. i'll see if i can scan her (she's in the box and it might glare).

here's butterfly art barbie in all her belly tatooed glory:

x that one out, ifn you can, wer, here's a smaller version:

*sorry*

No, it's ok, I like the large one better, anyway. But you might want to trim the black stuff away, and show only the box next time (you can define the area to scan if you do a preview, mark that area, and then scan). I am surprised how well this scanning of a box went - the depth of the box is at least 1 1/2 inch or 5 cm, I guess, and still it went ok. We should expect more scans in this conference soon, I say! Barbie's tattoo: Difficult thing. While obviously not an offensive thing itself, what would you say to an sixyear old who wanted a kitty tattoed on her tummy? Especially if, say, Dad's got a Harley on his arm... I can see why they did not want to alienate the buyers, who are the parents in most cases. Good thing for you! A true collectors item - store it away with any documentation (newspaper pages, articles, etc.) of the recall action.

i'm still relatively new at scanning and couldn't figure out how to resize the photo and trim it up (esp. after i did the scanning). it'll be slow-going, but i'll try. well, speaking of offensive things barbie does, what about earring magic ken? (i don't have him so no pics). i've seen many a boy with earrings (i'm talking three year olds). alpha wolf said the same thing about belly-tatooed barbie. http://www.barbie.com is mattel's page strictly on barbie. you can take a look at collector barbies and more. one thing i'm having trouble with is finding pink box barbies (these are the ones you usually find in stores i.e., tatoo barbie). but, they have this really neat program where you can design a barbie to your specs (within limits). you can name her, give her a personality, and purchase the barbie you created. it's really neat to play with. there is also a recalled version of barbie and ken as scully and mulder of the xfiles. as an xfiles fan, you can be sure i purchased this one but i didn't get the recalled version. the original had scully with longer hair (??). have yet to find a picture of that one. if you have a picture of the recalled version PLEASE email it to me and i'll post it here (mswolf68@hotmail.com).

ok, here's the toys r us 50th anniversary, note the red aids ribbon...i apologize for the quality of this pic. she is still in the box and i'd tear it up to take her out.

ok, well, let's try that again!

ok. that didn't work either. one more time and then i'll need help!

hit toys r us yesterday and picked up the Charity Ball Barbie which benefits COTA (children's organ transplant association). she's quite lovely (esp the dress) and will have her up when i figure out how to shrink down the bytes. also grabbed Barbie Millicent Roberts' Perfectly Suited. Barbie is wearing a lilac power suite, has mobile phone, dayrunner, briefcase, and a quick change into her lingerie with matching shoes, stockings, necklace, and hanger. she was a steal (to me) at $20 (normally $60) and she's valued at $70 according to miller's magazine. but i still can't get over Pink Splendor at $799.99 at toys r us. i'll find a link to her pic so you can see for yourself.

here's the link-it's to mattel's barbie site: http://www.barbie.com/collectors/pshow/pshow_h/h_16091.asp enjoy!

Zoe has got one from some celebration thing in the Philipines... I'll try and find the name stuff...

I thought about getting her one of the look like her Barbies, but the custom one for her would look just like the normal Barbie...

yeah, but you can get the hair color and style as she likes it and zoe would be able to name her and everything.

"Name her"? Isn't she, dunno - I guess: called "Barbie" ? Dizzy, yours truly

well, in this case, she is "friend of barbie".....

Huh?

ok, start over....mattel has a place (www.barbie.com) where you can design barbie to meet your specs (with certain limitations of course). you are offered selections for skin color, hair color, eye color, hair length and style, and clothing. once your selections are made, you are prompted for a name and birthday. you are also prompted to "fill in the blanks" according to what is offered for you to select from in order to create the personality of the doll. in the end you have the option of printing you one of a kind friend of barbie, to purchase her, or to start over. got it?

(I'd say yes if I were you...)

can you change her breast size? you know images like that are depressing for those of us that are not 55', 18', 25' when drawn to scale!

yes i do. but, they give us limits. can't do anything with her body. which is too bad because i thought a pear shaped barbie would appeal to a lot of women and maybe some men! you know, even the new style barbie doesn't look much different to me. supposedly her waist is bigger, but maybe that was for the teen barbies (skipper). she's supposed to sport smaller breasts. i don't know as i don't purchase skipper. oh, my daughter is into dressing her barbies now and sending them off on dates, vacations, and weddings. she has one ken and boy is he popular!

yea...my Ken Barbie doll saw lots of action in his day...

Are they making Ken anatomically correct yet?

He still looks like he's wearing a body stocking, I think

Bummer!!!

I rather fancied that he would be much more fun to play with the other way!

he still looks the same....and to think that barbie has molded on panties now! by the way, miller's magazine says that toys r us is having a major clearance of barbies right now. well, in nw la, they're still having the same sales they were having 3 weeks ago and nothing has changed. picked up a few barbies today and put them on layaway for christmas. one more and i'm caught up on my collections so far, but there's so many more!!

I am so disappointed! Molded-on panties?! Is that like some Space age Chastity belt? I shudder to think.

me, too!

ok, kmart is having a toy sale (including barbie) and they're marking down 20 to 70 percent off. i plan on scoping out the local kmart and will tell you what my covert operations find. walmart has two new barbies: one is jewel skating barbie and the other (can't remember the name) is a barbie who does gymnastics and comes complete with parallel bars and a smart bobbed hairdo. i think she's battery operated to work with the bars, but i'm not sure.

....and I am still the only one here with a Penn State Cheerleader Barbie? (all sorts of things go through my mind when I hear of a battery-powered Barbie, but I think I will just be a lady and let it pass...)

i'm with you, am gonna let that one go by *big grin*

Is there a soccer mom Barbie yet?

no, but there was a variations personal ad from a soccer mom in the Chronicle a couple of weeks ago...

hmmm... barbie is not a mom yet (if you don't count the pregnant barbie from a couple of years ago--or was i dreaming? didn't they have one where her belly opened up?)

"C-section Barbie"? That will give the little ones the really wrong idea of how babies usually get out of their Mommies. It probably had little hinges at the sides, and I can see little girls peeking at their tummies to see where their hinges are!

tell me about it! the doll might not have made it to the stores, but i'll do some checking around and see (i know i heard about one of those)

ok, the promised scoop: the local super k had the sorriest barbie sale i've seen. only two of them were marked down and only by 10% or so--the barbie recital (with kelly) and a basketball barbie. the local toys r us has the same dolls on sale as were there a month ago and i haven't seen any drop in prices (and these dolls are only 10-20% off). the collector doll prices haven't changed either, although 40th anniversary barbie was in their display case (the african american version)--very pretty! am still waiting for pink ice to drop from $75 (although it's regular price is $170). i'll pay $50 but no more seeing as how their 50th anniversary barbie was marked at $50 and still is. walmart had a few dolls on clearance but none of the collector editions (save the nascar barbie). will keep you all updated!

A man walks into a store to buy a Barbie doll for his daughter. "How much is that Barbie in the window?", he asks the shop assistant. In a condescending manner she responds, "Which Barbie? We have Barbie Goes to the Gym for $19.95, Barbie Goes to the Ball for $19.95, Barbie Goes Shopping for $19.95, Barbie Goes to the Beach for $19.95, Barbie Goes Nightclubbing for $19.95, and Divorced Barbie for $265.00." The guy asks, "Why is Divorced Barbie $265.00 when all the others are only $19.95?" "That's obvious," the assistant states, "Divorced Barbie comes with Ken's house, Ken's car, Ken's boat, Ken's furniture..."

heard that one before! *chuckle* K&B Toys has the 40th Anniversary Barbie ($59.99) and the Millenium Bride Barbie ($49.99). If you buy any collector barbies and your total is $100, you get the Swan Queen and Sleeping Beauty free!!

I want the prince! Prince William...

barbie does offer the "together forever" series. the two sets in the collection are romeo and juliet and arthur and guenevere (sp?). wonder if they'll have a robin hood and marion? hmmmm....

or a Bill and Hillary...

Wrong Willliam...(Prince Charming?!)

bill and hillary *yuck yuck yuck* yeah, that prince william is a cutie pie. glad he takes after his mom!

Oh Wolfie, you've got that right. (Yuck yuck and Yummmmmmmm)

You! Girls! Behave! He's too young - spare him, I pray thee!

Well, actually...the one I had in mind...was not a Windsor, actually...

But......Fitzwilliam?? ;-)

*Blush*

(mute)

*giggle*

*sigh* if they came out with fitzWilliam, I would have to have a Lizzie, not a Barbie to go with him...oh well...! *sigh*

toys r us has the millenium princess for $32.99. just for comparison, wal-mart has her for $36.87 and K&B for $39. there is a millenium bride who is way more expensive ($200 range) but i think the best you can do now is reserve a doll. they won't be released until jan 2000.

Still holding out for Prince Charming...*sigh* (signed: Princess-in-Waiting)

Are there Barbie Women's NBA dolls yet?

There ought to be a soccer Barbie, for sure! Do not know about the NBA...

i think so and there's barbie in the chicago cubs uniforms too. i'll see if there are soccer barbies.

there are soccer barbies, don't remember where i saw them, though. toys r us has the #3 harley barbie in stores now for $70. picked mine up today.

and here she is, thanks to Donna's Dolls

they are sold separately but i didn't like ken very much. harley motorcycles are not yet available for barbie, BUT mattel does make a barbie motorcycle.

Child-sized or Barbie-sized Harley? Do not like Ken, either, and Barbie is too skinny. I look positively plump beside her (well, not quite, but she does have the skinniest legs...). I guess all of her weight is ^up there^...*smirk*

Or is that, up ^^ there....

either way, i get your meaning. *sigh* they'll never make barbie look like a real woman!

I wonder if she would be as marketable as a real woman?! How many Daddies (other than the one who posts in here) actually buy them for their daughters...or is it for themselves? hmmm...

*scratches chin*

Might I join you? *scratching head*

What size are Barbie's breasts these days?

depends...

Inflatable?

I am all puzzlement. You mean they are changeable?! How...ummm...different!

i think it depends on which barbie you buy--you know, like stacey, kelly, skipper, or grown-up barbie.

Here's a real collector's item Barbie.

did you do that yourself? *haha*

No, I got it off a website: http://www.impeach-clinton.org/Intern_Barbie.jpg I did do the Walt Whitman poem parody that no one will touch (for obvious reasons) in Poetic Caricutures, though...now, people will never believe me when I tell them I'm not gay...but then, my policy has always been "Don't ask, don't tell!"

Just call me Skipper...*sob*

there are lot's of "modern" barbies out there.....divorce barbie that comes with all of ken's things, drug addict, etc. etc. i don't go to those sites, but they come up on a search....

just returned from toys r us and they have crystal jubilee for $299.99. checked the sears wishbook and they also list her for $299.99. you think that's expensive? you should take a look at the millennium bride. a whopping $399.99!! both of these gals are beautiful, though. the details are excellent!

Sheesh! My own wedding gown only cost $35 because I fit in the one on the rack. No one could tell it from the really expensive one my oldest sister had. Now, a doll is gonna outshine me and out price me, also?! It does sound very expensive. Is it another Bob Mackie creation?

crystal jubilee:

Millennium Bride: Crystal Jubilee and Millennium Bride pics borrowed from Donna's Dolls.

Wow! Thanks!

there's also a new one through avon, snow sensations, her picture's huge so let me find the link and you all can check her out: Avon's Snow Sensation

and the most expensive barbie in the world, here's a bit on her at mattel's barbie page: Diamond Barbie

i think i'm gonna put up links to barbie's pics to save some space on the spring's servers!

a href-ing you shall go...and Terry will be most grateful, I am sure. I'm off to check out diamond Barbie...

Just how much is this yuppie barbie?

which one?

diamond barbie was estimated to be auctioned between $30K and $60K

Nothing against Barbie, mind you, but if I am spending $60k on diamonds, I am going to wear them!!!

my sentiments exactly!!

We went to Kona to Costco (the other side of this Big Island from Hilo) yesterday, and they had a display of Millennium Barbies for $31.95 each (of course!) How does that compares with other Costco outlets.

no costco outlets here.

I scrolled back through this topic, and the prices you quoted were higher at other places. It might be interesting to know if everyone gouges us here for living in "paradise" with no competition!

i would think prices would be higher in paradise because of shipping...

Indeed! We even import the coal with which we make our electricity thus enabling us to pay the highest kilowatt-hour rate in the nation - and probably in the world - 19 cents/kilowatt hour. We have an abundance of geothermal energy around here, but it is not in favor with the people who build their homes next to the source then complain about the smell. Incredible...! That is just one of the little flies in the ointment of Paradise *frown*

woo woo! Barbie's come a long way! I like the new (to me) background too!

(thanks) btw: you know harley barbie #3? well, according to the current issue of white's guide, she's worth $150. how's that for appreciation on an investment?

...just find that one person willing to part with the $150... Quite an appreciation on investment! (wondering how many Penn State Barbie Cheerleaders they made....)

Marcia, that's hitting the nail on the hammer! From my "wild" collectors years, I know one thing: you can get any price you want, if you have the time to wait for the right customer to cross your path... But this can be quite a while! If you want money, you take a bulk and offer them 25 to 50 % off catalogue prices (which are for mint conditions, mind you!). As to how the market would react, with internet auctions, it's much easier to get buyers and sellers of such specialties together these days. So, I think that there's (a) a better chance to find Mr. (or Mrs) Big Wallet, or (b) the offers drive prices down to a certain level (forces of demand and supply). Wolf, have you ever tried auctioning off an item? I'd love to hear of your experience!

not yet! am registered with ebay, though.

here's a link to the 2000 Barbie line-up: http://www.donnas-dolls.com/new2000.htm

Wow, Wolf! I never knew there were so many of them! You get some in Germany in the big stores in Frankfurt, but mostly you only see the normal children barbies. How come that our barbies here ( as I remember them) have all the same face and a totally other one, from those I saw at the Barbie-collectors-site? Hey I would love to have this Elvis '68 doll, looks great!

just got a couple of flyers: 1 from toys r us and the other from the barbie collectors club. check out the price differences-- crystal jubilee: toys r us $299.99, collectors club $299.90 40th anniversary: toys r us $44.99, collectors club $49.98 toys r us even beat out wal-mart with the millenium princess barbie. she's marked down to $29 now. i'll wait until she goes lower and buy another to take out of the box!

Went to Walmart yesterday and they are making a big deal out of Barbie this weekend. "She" is going to make a personal appearance this Saturday. I shall head for the other end of town, I think! (Though I wonder what a real live Barbie actually looks like!)

dunno, probably someone dressed up in a mask! supposedly barbie makes an appearance in toy story 2.

Hmmm...interesting! I'd be curious to go just to see the percentage of fathers in the crowd. I imagine there will be curious males at least passing by - eyes right!!! We went out to dinner then walked it off in a local mall. K-Bee has a "sale" on which announces that you get 2 free collectable Barbies with each $75 (or was it $72?) spent on Barbie purchases. Heck! I do not even spend that much on Marcia!

they've been running that promotion for awhile, methinks they overstocked!

ah...I thought I had seen that banner before. I am sure they are...perhaps in anticipation of pre-Christmas purchases?! I was a stingy Santa - I limited my kid to $20...but ended up spending much more...he just could not ask for something from Santa that was too pricy.

(i tell my kids that greed will result in nothing from santa! so they're very careful in making their selections. of course, they almost always get everything they've wanted, thanks to lay-away plans!!)

*hugs* You're a good momma to both man and beast and small child. *applause*

thanks!

as you will recall, i ordered my avon barbie several weeks ago. well, she's so popular she's on back-order and should be in next week. :(

I recall, indeed! Bummer...=(

Oooh, those buttons are cool and edgy!!!

well, i hope they're better now, did some tweeking. can't seem to get rid of the white edging though!

Love the bars, too...I think if you manage to tweak away the edging you will lose the 3-D effect on the horziBars, too...!

ok, i didn't go away for two weeks to come back empty handed, barbie wise! went to a toys r us in S.A. and found pink ice for $50. that is over 50% off of her original pricing. AND, as a gift from my husband on our 11th anniversary (yesterday), he took me to toys r us here and told me to pick out a collector doll (excluding crystal jubilee at the $300 price tag, would rather have jewelry from him for that price). soooooo, i picked up portrait in taffeta, the 3rd in the couture series. you won't believe the price either, $66. it was a steal because she was also more than 50% off. AND, the AM went to the pick-up desk and examined the box and made them get another doll because the box was dented! i was so impressed. oh, and barbie in her role of tour guide for the new toy story was there. i wasn't impressed. liked the package with woody and bo peep better! will get a link put up for pink ice. crystal jubilee has her picture in response number 101.

i'm sorry, the one i got was symphony in chiffon, not portrait in tafetta. here's the link to her pic at the mattel page: http://www.barbie.com/collectors/pshow/pshow_h/h_20186.asp

Hey wolfie, congrats on number 11.

thanks! here's a link to pink ice (forgot to post it yesterday!): http://www.donnas-dolls.com/pinkice.htm

Congrats, too! So, you's like old love! Great! Say, did I get that right - S.A. being South Africa? You had a holiday there?

(Probably closer to San Antonio, Texas...) *hugs* on your 11th, Wolfie. I agree with the pricer items - might as well be saving up for that Alexandrite we all want...!

indeed!! S.A. is San Antonio Texas. no holidays in South Africa. no holidays anywhere! and thanks for your salutations! old love is the best, already larnt mine AM!! (although i was quite the b**** this weekend, but hey, i am an AF, right?)

Larnt him? Taught him? B****? You speak in miracles, don't get the first, guessed the middle, but isn't the third what female canines simply are? No offense meant, but... I gotta find that dictionary! San Antonio - didcha meet Ray? That's a very nice town, what with that Riverwalk and all.

no, i didn't get out much after class. larnt him is just a way to say i taught him. and b****, no offense, it is what i meant! (and because i'm a female wolf, i wanted you to be aware of the pun *grin*)

Oh! Hey, goodie! I got a pun! Hey, everybody, I got a pun!

...and all this time I though AF was Air Force...she must be AF�

No no, I'd gotten that before, I knew. 'Coz she TOLD me when I was a young puppy at this Spring that she's the ALPHA FEMALE of this place! Wow!

Yes...I understand (I learned about this stuff when I was a young'un at the Spring, also). And her husband is the Alpha Male, as is appropriate. But she is Air Force, as well - which is why that little 2 is beside her AF. Anyone who is both a Sgt/ USAF and AF has my undying gratitude and submission. Now, do I have to do anything when she enters the room besides come to attention, salute and grovel?

*blush* all this fuss over l'il ole me? geeeeeeeeezzzeeeee!!

(oops! I did not think she would see this *grin*)

happy happy joy joy!! the avon snow sensation barbie came in yesterday!! she's beautiful!

....and, is she yours? Lovely!!! Off to basketball and my 15 minutes of fame on the telly...*lol*

winter splendor from avon came in today. she is also lovely. will have to find pics to show you guys!

I'll bet she is all sparkly!!!

Winter Splendor at Donna's Dolls: http://www.donnas-dolls.com/1998avon.htm

I just checked. No sparkly stuff! I like to sparkle for holidays... Which Barbie did you get? She shows three examples on her web page. It looks like velvet and taffeta...is it?

As regards Barbies 1 and 3, dontcha just hate it when you spend all that money on a gorgeous new gown and it does not cover the seam where your shoulder meets your arm? Major fashion faux pas, that!

*lol* i picked up the caucasian doll. in the catalog i saw, the asian doll wasn't shown, didn't even know it was avail. just stared at the doll and didn't look as closely as you did *grin* i would hate the plastic spaghetti straps on my shoulders, what a rash that could cause! am trying to find out if mattel is going to have a holiday doll this year (i mean one that's avail. to the public and not just club members)...

i guess the arm-shoulder seams are there to remind us that this is, afterall, a doll! *grin* (went back to see what you meant)

Hmmm...what plastic spaghetti straps usually mean (other than the rash they will cause in humid climates like yours and mine) is that the wearer is not well-enough-endowed to hold up the dress by herself...or that she bought it "off the rack" and did not have it fitted to her shape. (...the story of my life so I avoided off-the-shoulder stuff until I was mature enough to wear it properly...) Interesting that arm-shoulder seams are racial. The Caucasian one does not appear to have them (lighting fooling our eyes?!)...or perhaps it is like the Mongolian Spot?!

The Barbie computer is kind of a ripoff, kids are better off with a more powerful system without paying the extra couple of hundred for the Barbie logos. Although, this may be the only way to get some Barbie fanatic kids motivated in this direction.

Kids need to be motivated to use computers? I spend my entire waking hours here and am lost without it. How could they be so short-sighted (by being kids, I guess...) I would probably opt for one of the "educational toys" mfg for a truly beginning computer for a child. They come in all price ranges and are big on the wish list for the kids being served by the Salvation Army Angel Tree (my particular Christmas gift to me is my service at that tree.)

i won't buy either the barbie or the hotwheels computer. get a good computer then slap stickers all over it, i say! the arm seams are just hidden well on the caucasian barbie, she has them, trust me!

That was precisely my thought when I posted the one before yours. Stickers!!! (Happy to know the Caucasian model has all the working parts *grin*)

*lol*

I miss Alexander when his in on a press deadline...what a creative mind!

Ooops, that comment was to go with the Pokeman stuff. (Incidently, it does mean pocket monster!) Back to the plastic spaghetti straps and functional models of Barbie...*grin*

barbie update: well, not really, nothing new to report. Donna's Dolls hasn't had anything for weeks. but, i went to wal-mart yesterday and birthday wishes was marked down but not by much. the second in the series is out and on shelves and finally saw her in person. she's very pretty. while looking at both i checked the mattel info on the bottoms of the box and noted that the first in the series has a (c) of 1998 and the second of 1999. guess it shows how long it takes to get f om the patent office onto the store shelves because bw #1 wasn't on the shelves until early 1999 (if i remember correctly). i'll find a pic to link up and show you #2.

Birthday Wishes #2. note the avail. date at the bottom (she's out NOW!!)

from Miller's: McDonald's has Barbie/Hot Wheels 12-31-99 thru 1-27-00. There are 20 pieces in the set, 10 Barbies and 10 Hot Wheels. 5 of the Barbies are design replicas of past Barbies and 5 are current Barbies. There will be 2 of each design weekly. As an added attraction there will be a collector's case. wow! this'll be the first time a collector's case will be offered. guess i know where i'll be eating lunch that month!!

Let's see, 2 all beef patties, pickles,lettuce, cheese, special sauce, on a sesame seed bun??? Hmmm...artery clogging time. Me too!

i get the happy meals because there's just the right amount (those special value meals are a waste for me) and then there's the TOY!!

Let's hear it for the toy!!! You mean they let adults have happy meals? How novel that idea is. Wish I had known before...!

fast food restaurants do, but sit down restaurants limit the kiddies' menu to them *darn*

Tell me about it! One tiny stomach here which does not like to be over-stuffed...it is wasteful, besides! We do not need to eat that much.

i've heard from donna (donna's dolls) and she has been sick. she says she's had the flu twice since thanksgiving. it was very nice of her to email me and i hope she makes it over here to see our neat niche. stores are having barbie sales but the prices aren't marked down much. there are some new pink box barbies out that i've not seen before including hawaiian ken and barbie (plus all their friends). will have to find a pic for you to see.

Don't hurry on my account...all I can see in your posts is the html language...*sigh*

this one's pretty: http://www.donnas-dolls.com/hollywd.htm

Wow! Her Jean Harlow impression or Marilyn Monroe? Very evocative and beautifully done!

yup and $50 or so.....

Not exhorbitant as some Barbie prices go...

nope. there's a special on QVC on 13 Jan at 9PM CST with a new collection called Royal Gems or something. the first one is emerald. can't find a pic or a price.

Sounds like it would fit into your conference and mine *grin* but it is probably an Irish Barbie.

i'm gonna search for it anyway.....

I have pix of the King Arthur and Guinevere... and a tweedy-looking Barbie. I could email them to you if you are interested, or they are tiny enough to post...when I can ftp them to access.spring.net...*sigh*

just ftp over when access is up and running. thanks, marcia!

Will do! (*pacing* and trying to be patient *grin*)

k you barbie collectors, don't forget tonight at 9 cst. guess that would be 7 for you west coasters and 10 for the east. and if you live somewhere else in the world, you'll have to do your own math. already told the AM that the tv is mine at nine! tried to find pictures at all the hot barbie spots and have come up empty-handed. even mattel's site doesn't show a pic. well, we'll see!

i got empress of emeralds and she is beautiful. she won't be shipped until mar 7 so i have to wait. 3 of the barbies showcased sold out in the first few minutes, elizabeth taylor as cleopatra, and a renoir style. can't remember the other one, think it was la papillion (the butterfly). iqvc didn't have any pictures of the empress for me to link up to. will do some more looking. surely, someone has one because she has been officially unveiled!

oh, and with the purchase of the empress of emeralds from qvc, you get a copy of the original drawing to boot!

She is a stunner. Glad you contacted me as you were thinking of purchasing her. Really lovely! Where is a Ken worthy of that lady?!

well it's certainly not great date ken in his one piece suit! (i'm serious, gave one to my daughter and had no idea his suit would be so weird)!

One-piece suit??? Like those weird jumpsuits they wore in the 60's? Double knit and all? ack!!!

found a pic for the empress:

the number in the lower right is the item number at QVC. she's no longer avail. there (i think).... picked up Rose Barbie for $24 (originally $50). now toys-r-us isn't having an out of this world sale but wal-mart is. barbies at half off!

The gown looks almost black in this photograph as it did on my telly. Let us know what color it really is when you get her. Great photo. Have you gotten a snappy since I last asked?!

no, i did a search and found it! her dress is dark green...

I figured it must be. Emerald green would have been too much, but against a tourmaline green dress she should look dazzling in her faux emeralds.

i can't wait!!

well, i joined the club today, the barbie collector's club. the small print at the bottom of the webpage says if i quit the club, the collector's barbies i buy, i have to return. wonder if that means if i don't renew next year, do i have to return the dolls i purchased during my year of membership? can't wait to get the package to determine what they're talking about. it'll be here in 7-14 days!

That sounds so incredibly exciting! Keep us posted! How do you display your Barbies, so they are safe and kid-proof?! We need a photo of your collection and how you have them displayed!

haha! no, really, you don't want to know how they're displayed. let's say they don't see the light. and i will indeed keep everyone posted. i counted up the dolls i have right now (plus the one from qvc) and i'm up to 49. that's it? as other enthusiastic doll collectors might say. but i'm out of room with them!

I know how collections can eat up available flat space. I thought AM might have built your tiered risers so they could be displayed above closets and in other unused space like that.

ok, we lost some posts here. where are my buttons????

I can paste the lost ones if you'd like. I am crazy enough to save conferences topics to file...! (I think the buttons are cute with the Yellow background!)

There were about 5 days of lost posts, between the time I tarbabied the old conferences and transplanted them here. You can still get to the old site if you want to copy the lost posts (old site - http://206.97.234.70 and new site is http://www.spring.net or http://208.165.85.156).

got some barbie-related news: mattel's ceo resigned (or was fired) due to lagging sales in the 4th quarter.... and little debbie snacks' 40th anniversary doll arrived at my house today. she looks a bit different (the face) but is a barbie never-the-less. just $21 total with shipping.

hey, why's there a hyperlink on news????

I was going to telnet to look at it but I cannot see anything after several posts yesterday. I wonder what the new one will be. sigh! Is Little Debbie/Barbie cute? Is she wearing that little hat, too?

nope, this is the anniversary edition and she's in blue with a knit top and a stretchy light blue skirt with a tulle overlay with sparkles. very pretty. she carry's a silver bag and has silver accents on her dress and hair.

This is not the same Little Debbie with which I am familiar...! Sounds lovely!

Here is Arthur and Gwenivere

Did they also make Whazzisface, her boyfriend? I forgot the name, you know - the other guy?

Guinnevere or Barbie? also, barbie will be sporting a new waist soon. she will have a belly button and her waist will be covered with stretchy "stuff" (technical aren't i?) so you won't see the armatures when she wears midriff bearing outfits that are, like, sooooo coooool today. wonder if she'll sport a naval ring as well?

Stupid question time: Why does Barbie need stretchy tummy "stuff"??? Can you see her armatures now? I obviously have not had my hands on a Barbie in ages and ages - my son wanted the real thing when he got old enough ;)

i don't know. let me find the article and the PICTURE!

Yay! Pictures! Inquiring eyes want to see *grin*

here's the article and the picture shall be here forthwith: ----------------- By Michelle Healy, USA TODAY A year after hitting the big 4-0, everyone's favorite party girl is getting a major overhaul, smack-dab in the midsection. Barbie: The new doll bares midriff. Consider it Barbie's millennium makeover. That's what the folks at Mattel are calling the redesign that will enable the world's most popular fashion doll to twist and bend at the waist without joints showing. That unsightly seam at her waist? Gone, history. In its place is a cute little bellybutton. At next week's American International Toy Fair in New York, Mattel will unveil the latest body incarnation for its $1.5-billion-a-year baby. Jewel Girl, due out in August, will be the first Barbie to sport a midsection material that allows much more human, natural movement, says Barbie marketing executive Anne Parducci. "It looks almost like skin and has a soft, fleshy feel," she says. "Bend her over and she gets a little bit of a (paunch)." Why mess with a middle that has worked so well all these years? Barbie was looking "a little dated," Parducci says. Whether it's cropped tops or low-slung pants, "today's styles show off the midriff. It's hard to do that with an ugly (abdomen)." At least two retailers who have seen the new body praise it for enhancing the fun quotient and for being more "realistic" - if that term can be applied to a plastic plaything famous for being perched on tippy-toes. It's "a great new body that looks more natural," Toys R Us buyer Deborah Terrell says. "More mobility and flexibility only enhances the Barbie experience," says Wal-Mart spokesman John Bisio. Toy watchers may recall 1997 reports of a much-ballyhooed Barbie makeover that was supposed to result in a doll with wider waist, slimmer hips and smaller bust. It never materialized. Preliminary discussions about changes "got car ried away by the press," Parducci says. One change that did come to fruition was last year's introduction of what Mattel calls a "more contemporary" smiling face. Though some collector Barbies will sport a reserved, closed-mouth smile, the new subtle-yet-toothy grin is set to reign over mass-market Barbieland, popping up on 95% of the 2000 dolls. --------------- so they gonna do her neck, legs, and arms next?

New Waist Barbie

Unreal! You still cannot see but I hope it is made of tough stuff which will not deteriorate over the years or she will fall apart just like real women do!

Maybe they'll design her an abs excercizer!!! Oh, and she'll have to have proper gym clothes - a nice sideline for Nike perhaps? Or does she already have those?

she has gym clothes but they're not endorsed YET!

I'm surprised - I thought they'd have done that ages ago!

Yup! Adidas or someone... Perhaps they ask too high a price for that little bit of advertising...?

ok, empress of emeralds came in today! she's beautiful. her box lid comes off and you can straighten out her jewelry and hair if you need to. i'm so *excited* and, avon's newest barbie is angelic inspirations. my friend is an avon lady and ordered her for me at her price. i saved $6. (she's $29.99 with a $10.00 purchase or $54.99 by herself). she's really pretty and her hair is done a bit differently along with her makeup. am trying to find a pic for you guys to see.

What color is the dress in real life? She is stunning - about that waltzing in a straight line...I think I shall be thusly adorned...! Can't wait to see the new Avon acquisition! (and your wee little pix will not cause the demise of Spring as we know it!!!)

her dress is a deep emerald green. it's quite lovely. even the AM was excited!

Oooh! Gotcha...She was lovely with the strawberry-blonde hair...*sigh* She must be stunning for AM to single her out of all of your others. If you had not told me to turn on the telly that time she was on QVC I would not know how lovely she really is! I am realy happy for you! *hugs*

here's a link to the new avon barbie: http://www.donnas-dolls.com/avon_angel.htm

That is gorgeous - and an Angel! I would collect angels if I had someplace to put them. Lovely gold and porcelain Renaissance Angels...

From Amy (irishprincess) who says she thinks she will never get too old to collect Barbies, Merlin and Morgaine

More from Amy: IMPERIAL COLLECTION: AUTUMN in LONDON:

From Amy's collection and wish list:

The left one is Peruvian and "even the baby is cute." The right one is Native American which is still on her wish list.

oh the imperial collection is beautiful and most expensive. but the detailing is perfect. the first one was blonde with a blue dress. am so glad there's someone else out there nuts about barbie! am gonna scan a couple of pictures....

Excellent - amy will be happy to hear about your scans - perhaps we can entice her back for a little while...*grin*

here goes and i shrunk them quite a bit but they may be too big still.... Venetian Opulence Barbie 3rd in the Masquerade Series (and the best in that set IMO)

ok, and the Porcelain Faberge' Imperial Elegance Barbie (a whopping $400 to boot)

due to my scanner, blue spots appear on the dress above. her dress is cream accented with swarovski crystals...

Dazzling Barbies. I had no idea they were so ornate. I love the gold and blue one...just stunning. Is she a regular Barbie or all porcelain?

These Barbies look exquisite on your watered silk background. I love the masquerade Barbie you posted. Amazing!

the faberge' (blue and cream) is all porcelain, which explains the high price!

Wolf, when I look at this and the prices... Makes me feel worried - think of the kid's college, or sumpthin'!

oh, alex, i've not purchased a doll over $100 unless it was on sale for under that. don't worry for me!

Aren't these vastly costly - for a doll - Barbies for adult collectors? Children seldom get to play with ones like these!

you know that's right. no, the high dollar ones are for adults. and mattel knows they can get folks to pay.

i'd much rather spend $800 on a piece of jewelry than a doll...at least i can carry that around with me *grin*

Yup! Or like that $40,000 diamond Barbie. I want to be wearing the diamonds if I spend that kind of money on them!!!

that's what i'm saying!

Actually, I don't spend anything even close to the amount she spends of clothes, but then, Bob Mackie does not design Most of my stuff...*sigh*

can't remember where we discussed the star wars royalty collection, but tonight, i added the third and final one. queen amidala in her senate gown (the red one with the horned hairdo).....she was half-off original price and i couldn't pass her up, since wal-mart didn't have any of them left (after their $18 sale of the dolls)...

I don't remember your mentioning them. Oh yes! Now I do. There was one with a blanck travelling outfit, as well, or am I thinking of something else?

nope, you're on the right track!

Good...I shall check back through the posts to refresh my memory...*sigh* Do you have some shelves where all of these ladies are viewable? You are acquiring quite a lovely collection now.

the shelves where they sit are in the closet. they are stacked on top of each other. the star wars collection sits on my dresser at the moment since both the closet and the top of a filing cabinet are stacked high and no more will fit. (1/2 of a small closet is converted to shelves) oh, and toys r us is having a barbie giveaway--you fill out a slip, mail it in and enter the drawing: grand prize: retail value of barbie items at $10,300, can you imagine??? 1st prize: 10 winners receive a barbie pc computer package with color monitor and software 2nd prize: 5 winners receive a barbie party with refreshments, an appearance by barbie at the location of their choice. or course, i'm interested in the grand prize! who wouldn't be? but if we win anything at all, my daughter would be happy (and so would i, really)

Wow! Enter! (Like you didn't a thousand times already?!) Good luck, Wolfie!!!

i suppose i could enter a thousand times, it says only one entry per outer envelope. hmmmm, how much can i afford in stamps? i'd better get moving!

Go! Wolfie Go!

Sign language Barbie to go on sale LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Barbie, the world's most famous plastic bombshell, has been a doctor and a designer, but never in her 41 years had she been a champion for the disabled, until this week when she found work as a sign language expert. With one hand permanently molded into the sign for ``I love you,'' Mattel Inc.'s new ``Sign Language Barbie'' comes with sign language stickers and attempts to teach girls American Sign Language (ASL), said Julia Jensen, a spokesman for the El Segundo, Calif.-based toymaker Mattel. ``For over 41 years, Barbie has taken on several exciting aspirational roles ranging from astronaut to presidential candidate,'' said Adrienne Fontanella, president of the girls' toy and Barbie division at Mattel. ``But this is the first time Barbie has communicated an ASL signing position, and in the role of teacher, she can help to break down barriers and facilitate understanding between children with and without disabilities.'' Mattel worked with the National Center on Deafness at California State University, Northridge to ensure the American Sign Language Barbie doll was accurately representing a sign language teacher, Jensen said. The sign language Barbie, which sells exclusively at U.S. Toys 'R' Us stores, comes with a chalk board, reusable vinyl sign language stickers, and is packaged in a schoolroom setting. By using the stickers, children can make their own sentences through the use of American Sign Language, Jensen said. Jensen added that although Barbie teaches sign language she herself is not deaf or disabled. However she has a disabled friend, Becky, who Mattel began producing in 1997 complete with her own wheelchair and camera, Jensen said. This year Mattel plans to release a ``Paralympic Becky,'' in time for the August 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia, Jensen said. The Paralympic Becky will come with an athletic uniform for track and field events, specially designed wheelchair, riding helmet, gold medal, and tiny water bottle. Paralympic Becky will specialize in track and field events, Jensen said. Her pal, Swimming Champion Barbie, also to be released this summer, will win Olympic gold this year, despite only recently learning how to swim, jaunts in children's baths notwithstanding. ``It's the first time Barbie will be able to swim on her own. She has a wind-up feature that will allow her to do the backstroke and freestyle,'' Jensen said. ``We have no plans at this point for a disabled Barbie but I can't tell you it would never happen,'' Jensen added. In the near future, she added, Barbie is expected to become more socially conscious and will be more active in raising awareness about disabilities, Jensen said. ``This is an area where we feel there is a need. There are plans right now for that not just within Barbie but other Mattel brands.'' Barbie's new direction hints at changes inside Mattel after several tumultuous quarters during which the toy giant tried to remake itself from a traditional toymaker into a family products concern. Earlier this month, Mattel said it would sell its troubled Learning Co. software business, considered a large part of its problems, in a transaction that could fetch far less than its $3.5 billion purchase price. The unit's huge losses led to the resignation of Chairwoman and Chief Executive Jill Barad and several other executives. So far a buyer has not come forward. Meanwhile, Barbie doll products produced more than $1.5 billion revenue for Mattel in 1999 and analysts said domestic Barbie sales in 2000 so far were healthy.

Q: Have you heard about the new teenage Barbie doll? A: As soon as you take her out of the box she starts to resent you.

of course!

I musta been lucky, mine never did - or, if he did, he did not let it show. You have that to look forward to, huh?!

Barbie Pursuing New Career: President WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Last week it was disability rights. Next month, Barbie will launch her campaign for the White House. The White House Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that promotes women candidates, said it has teamed up with Mattel Inc. (MAT.N) to market a ``Barbie for President'' doll, which will hit stores May 1. Among her 75 careers over the past four decades, Barbie has worked as a doctor, designer, soccer champ, diplomat and astronaut. Last week, she added sign language expert to her repertoire. Marie Wilson, president of the White House Project, said on Monday a President Barbie was a natural next step. ``Girls nationwide own an average of eight Barbies. Since Barbie is such a large part of girls' lives, we want to be there with a message that encourages them to be tomorrow's leaders,'' she said in a statement. Each ``Barbie for President'' doll will be sold with a copy of the White House Project's Girls' Action Agenda, which urges girls to pursue leadership roles in their schools, communities and homes. ``President Barbie represents possibilities and girls need to know that becoming president is possible,'' said Wilson. Wilson, who also heads the Ms. Foundation for Women and initiated the feminist magazine's ``Take Our Daughters to Work Day,'' said she had suggested that Mattel turn Barbie's big pink dream house into the White House. Sold exclusively at Toys R Us (TOY.N), the doll will be available in three races: black, white and Latina, the group said in a statement released on Monday announcing the 41-year-old doll's latest guise. The only woman to run for president in 2000, former Cabinet secretary Elizabeth Dole, dropped out of the Republican primary contest and threw her support behind Texas Gov. George W. Bush. The White House Project on April 30 will release the results of a national straw poll and a survey on potential women vice presidents. The poll and survey are part of the group's ``Pipeline to the Presidency'' initiative, which tries to promote a dialogue with young women aged 18-24 and encourages girls and women to get involved in politics. ``Our democracy demands full political representation,'' Wilson said. ``We won't settle for anything less.'' Later this year Mattel also plans to release a ``Paralympic Becky,'' in time for the August 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia, and a Swimming Champion Barbie. Barbie doll products produced more than $1.5 billion revenue for the El Segundo, California-based toy giant Mattel in 1999 and analysts said domestic Barbie sales in 2000 so far were healthy.

White House Unruffled by Barbie for President Doll WASHINGTON (Reuters) - She's beautiful, elegantly dressed and very popular but the Barbie doll running for U.S. president is not worrying anyone at the White House. Dressed in an ice blue suit with a ``Barbie for President'' button on her lapel, the svelte doll made by Mattel Inc is running for the highest office in the land from a red, white and blue box emblazoned ``Barbie President 2000.'' ``Barbie...Um...can't think she's gonna have much of an impact on the race unless they run Malibu Barbie and then maybe California will be impacted,'' White House spokesman Joe Lockhart told reporters on Thursday, tongue firmly in cheek. The White House Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that promotes women candidates, this week said it had teamed up with Mattel to market the ``Barbie for President'' doll, which will hit stores May 1. Overall Barbie doll sales generate more than $1.5 billion in revenues for California-based Mattel. Presidential Barbie, who comes equipped with a slinky red evening gown and matching shoes, seems to understand it may be tough to beat the main presidential contenders: Democratic Vice President Al Gore and Republican Texas Gov. George W. Bush. In a disclaimer written in small print at the bottom of her box, the company notes: ``Podium not included. Doll cannot stand alone.''

Emerald Empress Thanks Amy

all four of the new collection (royal gems) are out (prototypes of the other 3)...will scan the pic tomorrow!

Ooh good. The above one was emailed to me.

well, this goes to show that tomorrow never comes *grin* i finally scanned the pic and as soon as i get it to the right size, i'll post it!

ok, lemme fix that...

well, i don't get it.

ok, don't have a pix of her yet but Harley Barbie #4 is at TRU for $69.99. She is a blonde who has had high and low lights put in. and she has really full lips. oh, and can someone tell me why the beauty mark is placed over the right side of the mouth and not the left? i've seen several folks of beauty with these natural moles on the left. so shouldn't barbie be the same?

TRU link: http://www.toysrus.com/index.cfm?siteID=UZR89t2CmH4-gLepfGfa4Pkg0zpjnVxQCw

(scroll down the page and click on Harley #4)

Awesome!!!

NEW Barbie dolls to coincide with her and OUR aging gracefully. these are a bit more realistic... 1. Bifocals Barbie. Comes with her own set of blended-lens fashion frames in six wild colors (half-frames too!), neck chain and large-print editions of Vogue and Martha Stewart Living. 2. Hot Flash Barbie. Press Barbie's bellybutton and watch her face turn beet red while tiny drops of perspiration appear on her forehead. Comes with hand-held fan and tiny tissues. 3. Facial Hair Barbie. As Barbie's hormone levels shift, see her whiskers grow. Available with teensy tweezers and magnifying mirror. 4. Flabby Arms Barbie. Hide Barbie's droopy triceps with these new, roomier-sleeved gowns. Good news on the tummy front, too-muumuus with tummy-support panels are included. 5. Bunion Barbie. Years of disco dancing in stiletto heels have definitely taken their toll on Barbie's dainty arched feet. Soothe her sores with the pumice stone and plasters, then slip on soft terry mules. 6. No-More-Wrinkles Barbie. Erase those pesky crow's-feet and lip lines with a tube of Skin Sparkle-Spackle, from Barbie's own line of exclusive age-blasting cosmetics. 7. Soccer Mom Barbie. All that experience as a cheer-leader is really paying off as Barbie dusts off her old high school megaphone to root for Babs and Ken, Jr. Comes with minivan in robin-egg blue or white, and cooler filled with doughnut holes and fruit punch. 8. Mid-life Crisis Barbie. It's time to ditch Ken. Barbie needs a change, and Alonzo(her personal trainer) is just what the doctor ordered, along with Prozac. They're hopping in her new red Miata and heading for the Napa Valley to open a B&B. Includes a real tape of "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do." 9. Divorced Barbie. Sells for $199.99. Comes with Ken's house, Ken's car, and Ken's boat. 10. Recovery Barbie. Too many parties have finally caught up with the ultimate party girl. Now she does Twelve Steps instead of dance steps. Clean and sober, she's going to meetings religiously. Comes with a little copy of The Big Book and a six-pack of Diet Coke. 11. Post-Menopausal Barbie. This Barbie wets her pants when she sneezes, forgets where she puts things, and cries a lot. She is sick and tired of Ken sitting on the couch watching the tube, clicking through the channels. Comes with Depends and Kleenex. As a bonus this year, the book "Getting In Touch with Your Inner Self" is included.

*lol* OK, went to good old walmart today and found a couple new barbies. one was millenium bride, a new collection, for $49 (rounded). another was a the first of what looks like a new holiday series...barbie is celebrating christmas 2000 with a 2000 ornament. didn't get the price and don't have pics. BUT i'll keep scouring my mags and the net and let you know!

ok, here's the millenium wedding barbie link: http://www.barbie.com/collectors/00_preview/pshow/pshow_h/27674.asp

and the new holiday line starts with celebration barbie: http://www.barbie.com/collectors/00_preview/pshow/pshow_h/28269.asp

ok, and the 2001 lineup is up for preview at the newly redesigned barbie.com. here's one of the new limited collection set that's out now: http://www.barbiecollectibles.com/collectors/series/series_h/classicalgoddess.asp

just got a piece of mail from the barbie club, 2001 club kits are now available to order, this one includes a note pad set w/pen along with all the other goodies usually found inside. (a collectable pin, a binder for the barbie insider editions, and an outfit with accessories, plus an order form for collector club dolls)

Wow! Marketing is everything, I guess. No free samples?! My Daddy warned me about those!

------------- "Smart" Toys Don't Like Abuse --------------- Mattel Corporation has gotten into the high-tech act by pro- ducing a line of talking dolls. The strategy is to attract older girls who are tired of Barbie. The new dolls, called Diva Starz, scream if their hair is pulled and object if you keep them in pajamas after the sun comes up. More of these latest toys include robotic dogs, toys which communicate and new versions of dolls with change vocabulary and actions as they age.

What's the latest Barbie line, wolfie?

you know, i get catalogs all the time and keep forgetting to post here! i'll get back to you on it!

OK I'll take your raincheck.

Barbie has not lost herself on me, I'm just floundering in the throes of life. am way behind on my collection though i did see one i just love and have to have. i think she's Grand Entrance and Wal-Mart has her ($50). all of the Royal Jewels are available either through Mattel or QVC (i think QVC still has the first one). they go for $99. last i checked, the first one (Empress of Emeralds) was going for $92 on QVC. still haven't picked up the latest Harley Barbie but Toys-R-Us still carries her AFAIK. perhaps i should put these dolls on lay-away and pick them up when i return from a business trip.

ok, as i was telling marcia in an email, i found the replacement barbie for butterfly art. she has absolutely no tattoos, straight hair (vs crimped), plain denim skirt (vs fringes), no jewelry, the box is smaller, and the doll has a different stock number than the original but carries the same name. i will take a pic of these dolls side by side and post them for you to view. no promises as to when but, i'll do it. oh, and the tattoos included in the box are referred to as temporary stickers but also referred to as tattoos in the ingredient list.

as promised, here are the butterbly barbie photos *fingers crossed* but first, let me apologize for the quality of the pics. hopefully you can make out the differences!

Avon has a new barbie for us collectors: she's the Ring in the New Year Barbie Doll. this time, avon has included the hispanic version this time (don't remember seeing that one offered before). and the avon website doesn't have her listed yet. she comes in a display box and has a musical ornament that plays "auld lang syne." (all this for $36.99, whew)

Wow!!! I am assuming you have told the resident Santa of your need for this one. What a splendid holiday ornament. Pictures??

no, i was hoping avon had it but their site isn't updated with the new campaign stuff yet. maybe i'll scan it, though the picture is cut right down the middle of the booklet.

did i mention that Mattel is just around the corner from where i work and i can go there during lunch? *laugh* look out, here comes wolfie!!!

oh, and did i also mention that the AM gave me the green light to shop there? *rubbing paws together with glee*

here is the ring in the new year barbie at avon:http://shop.avon.com/avonshop/default.asp?department=shop&level1%5Fid=3

try this:http://shop.avon.com/avonshop/product.asp?src%5Fpage=product%2Easp&department=shop&level1%5Fid=&level2%5Fid=3&pdept%5Fid=13&dept%5Fid=54&pf%5Fid=2330&level=3

ok, guess what???? let me first just tell you what my receipt said at the bottom: YOUR SAVINGS 249.96. yes, i saved nearly $250 just by buying 2 barbies at the mattel toy store. so what did i buy, you ask? Barbie 2000 (yes, this was last year's model) regularly sells for $46.....spent $10.99. And Ferrari Barbie (now this one, *wow*) regularly sells for...$299.95 and guess how much the thrifty wolfie paid? $89.99, yes you saw that, 89.99. and the husband actually sat there and said "get it" which is RARE!!!! ok, so let me hunt some pics for you.

Ferrari Barbie

WoooooooHoooooooo Wolfie!!! You scored Big Time. Enough for you to buy the real Ferrari for the mom of the Barbie collection?? *Sigh* Now we need pix.

Wow!!! I just looked at your picture link. Red is my favorite color. She is stunning! What color is her Ferrari? Can they be anything other than red?! *Sigh* I guess I am never going to look like Barbie! Love her with the chestnut brown hair, though! She looks positively smashing.

(I wish my buttons worked....*sniff* Wolfie's work, why don't mine? *whine*)

i dunno, sweetie!! i thought we finally got geo looking spiffy again! barbie doesn't come with a ferrari but i did see one on the road and about fell out. it was a testarossa and was sporty red!

santa was very nice to me and gave me a lovely barbie doll. this one is the fantasy goddess by bob mackie (my first mackie doll). she is beautiful! lemme get you a link for her pic----

Fantasy Goddess of the Artic

we went browsing through k-mart and i found a new model of barbie. the sunshine day (yeah, like the partridge family) has wider hips and a smaller chest. i bought her just because of that. and i've noticed a newer look for the african american version as well. she has almond shaped eyes vs the wide-eyed version. wonder when they'll make a version of barbie that is brunette with brown-eyes and is not hispanic (i do like the hispanic versions though). and k-mart's toys section (esp. barbie) was sad indeed!

Works for me Wolfie. Brown-eyed brunettes are very special people!

Poor K-Mart. I'm glad I don't own any of that stock.

but they're not being left high and dry. afterall, martha's staying with them. i didn't notice any shortages in the food department either. what i've always disliked about k-mart was the mess it was always in and how nothing was organized or in stock. wonder if mattel will pull their toys from the shelves.

added two more bob mackie designer dolls to my collection: Goddess of the Americas and Goddess of Asia. The third and first out of the collection (Goddess of the Arctic is the fourth). Just need Goddess of Africa to complete the set (but they were out).

Nice, Wolfie! When do you add a real Bob Mackie to your own wardrobe? If you are like me, you need a whole new lifestyle to afford to do that. Pictures? Can you FTP yet? If not, email Terry with your old username and password. I did and am back in business as is John. John has made a few really cute adjustments to his prediction charts. =)

Fantasy Goddess of the Americas Fantasy Goddess of Asia And the only one i still need in this series: Fantasy Goddess of Africa

better link for: Fantasy Goddess of the Americas

The Goddess of America Barbie is STUNNING!!! I had no idea they could be so gorgeous. Since I am running NASA TV at the same time I am running a bunch of other applications, I'm having a slow time of it loading some of the images.

the africa is stunning too, you should see the detail on her dress! but bob mackie dolls all come like that, with extensive bead detail. the asian has a beautiful lime green fully beaded gown and a dragon fan-shaped head-dress. of course, i have to peak around the tissue paper to take a look-see.

check this out: (hope the link works, if not, i'll be back *grin*) New Doll

ok, it didn't.....hang on!

New Doll *fingers crossed*

It works! I can't wait to see the realistic Barbie!!!

i'm gonna be looking for her!

Did anyone find the realistic Barbie? Surely there is a Southern Belle Barbie. I wonder which one he might like... I'm guessing one in Green!

the Southern Belle Barbie is probably closest to the tea barbies.

mattell was having one heck of a sale yesterday--glad i went after work (yes, i worked saturday--it's end of fiscal year and we have to obligate funds like madmen)....enchanting mermaid was not on the menu for price cuts though and they didn't even have one single box laying around for me to drool over. but let me tell you what i did come out of there with: Duchess of Diamonds Countess of Rubies Venetian Opulence let me note that these dolls come in "damaged" boxes. The Royal Jewels Collection had nothing wrong with their boxes but are supposedly missing their certificates (inside the box). Venetian Opulence did not have the lid to her box (nor did any of the others like her on the shelf) and came without "papers." This didn't bother me much since I bought her because I've always liked her.

the 2003 line is here to check out: http://www.barbiecollectibles.com/index-home.asp

well i haven't been here inawhile. am still collecting barbies but now that i'm away from l.a., no mattel store to buy discounted dolls. and i haven't seen any at the flea markets that i'm willing to shell out money for.

I saw a barbie something somewhere.

*laugh*

Wow ! it has been ages! Taking a break from trying to find people to testify on my behalf for the upcoming trial, tell us what new Barbies are in your life now, Wolfie!

here is a link to barbie.com and the 2005 lineup: http://www.barbiecollector.com/showcase/products_by_year.asp?iYear=2005 james bond is in my collection now along with the fairy queen and legolas from the LOTR movies. hoping they have the entire group soon. am still looking for the fantasy goddess of africa to complete my bob mackie fantasy goddesses collection.

march 16, the 2005 fanclub starts!!

I just can't remember who, want, where, when. Maybe it will coem to me. It's lurking around in the shadows of my mind, a Barbie cool thing I heard about somewhere. Maybe it will surface.

Legolas?! How about Arwen? She LOOKS exactly like a pretend person. Lovely!

Legolas and Galadriel are the only ones for now. Not sure if they're going to do any of the other characters (boy, I hope they don't use the little kid sister of barbie for the hobbits)....

hahaha - probably not but they might use the original mold to work from. Furry feet? I wonder.

*laugh*

I know a store filled with Barbies in Austin. It's a doll shop. I took a bunch of pictures there a long time 'a go.

was it a Mattel outlet store? i told the AM i needed to take a trip back to El Segundo, CA just to visit their store.

Nope it was a funky, jam packed antique doll star on Kerbey Lane. If ya' come to Austin, go see it. Or make a point to go see it before they ship you off somewhere.

well, that means they're expensive......some of those doll stores give me the creeps!

No I didn't think it was that expensive. I'll stop by there, I have photos of it somewhere. I don't know when. I know where it is on Kerbey Lane. Kerbey Lane Cafe has great food.

well then i know where to visit when i head up austin way...

It's real close to Mopac off 35th.

I've been to that El Segundo mall store. The line used to wind around the building and they restricted how many you could buy each time !!

*laugh* you got it!

In fact, the lady who took me there commandeered the whole available family and we each got 6 of whatever she wanted. I have no idea what she is doing with them, but she must have zillions of them by now. Like saving pennies. Everyone has more than they already want or need so who cares? I guess she plans to live for 200 more years until they are "valuable" ?!

Back to Barbie, The Franklin Mint christmas catalog has some impressive Barbies for collecting. They are getting more and more into portrait dolls, now.