Thursday 30 July 2015

Tierra, the Whoo! Hoo! Moment

It always amazes me that things come to me at exactly the time in my life when I need them the most.  It’s been stressful for me over the last little while as I struggle through troubles with my feet.  My Achilles tendons are separating from my heels on both feet and it’s disheartening to have such trouble walking, not to mention the pain it causes.  Needless to say I’ve been a little down from it.

On 14 July 2015 I picked up the leg splints I would have to wear and as I was driving home, I decided to go to the Goodwill store close to home.  I have not been there for a few months, as I have been on the farm, and thought maybe wandering through would cheer me up.

I headed for the toy area and began my eagle-eye search at the beginning of the aisle.  I found a couple items of interest; then as I swung my gaze to the left where the dolls were always piled, I immediately spotted a familiar pair of legs!  I couldn’t reach for them fast enough!  As I pulled the doll out from under the pile my heart skipped a beat!

Staring back at me with a full head of wavy auburn hair was the face of Teen Trends Deondra!  Rowan’s twin!  I swear I nearly had a coronary right there in the aisle!  The one doll I had hoped to find and here she was in my hand.  Her price was a whopping $4.00.

I had longed to see Rowan with her beautiful flowing hair and even though I love her as she is, short hair and all, seeing her twin was amazing.  This was what she originally looked like with a mane of gorgeous hair!

This new girl had only a t-shirt on with her necklace (minus the chain) sewed to the t-shirt.  She also had silver hoop type earrings.  Her hair is matted and has some kind of blue gunk on parts which I think I can get out with a good washing.  She also has some makeup or something like that on her face.  

Sadly Goodwill marks the prices of their dolls on the feet (or back of the neck in Rowan’s case) with a black sharpie so she now has permanent damage there. (frown)  I’ve lightened the dots with a good cleaning to what you see in the picture below, but still it irks me that she has this damage.  Rowan’s is worse as it’s in the soft plastic of her head.
The good news about her body is that her limbs are snug!  No floppy legs or arms for my new girl!  I am so glad about that.  This is a real problem with some of the other girls so not having this as an issue is great!

The second chapter in the Silvervale Sisters’ Elements Representations is now complete.  I’ve decided to name the new doll Tierra, which means Earth.  Though she is the twin to Rowan, I will not re-root her hair.  I’ve looked so long for an intact version of this doll that I will do my best to clean her up and restore her to her original beauty.

Tierra has come into my little doll family when I needed her most.  She brightened my day so much and brought lots of smiles to my face.  I am so happy to have found her and look forward to cleaning her up and introducing her to the rest of the girls. 

As always, let kindness and positive energy
fill your mind, body and soul.

Blessed Be, My Friends!

Monday 27 July 2015

Kindell - The Last US Surprise

At the Portland Swap Meet I really didn’t think I would find much that was of interest to me.  The Swap Meet was for car collectors with some antiques and collectibles.  Since my significant other is a major car collector and restorer, this stop along our way was for him.  He did tell me that there might be other things I might find interesting, but dolls?  He wasn’t sure.  I highly doubted I would find Teen Trends Dolls in the middle of millions of car parts for muscle cars.

I am unable to walk very well due to some troubles with my feet and I must admit that I was not looking forward to hobbling along with my cane searching row after row of car stuff hoping a doll would miraculously be displayed for sale.

I limped along with my cane amid the crowds and car parts sticking out into the aisles and by the time I got through the first building without find ANYTHING, I really didn’t want to try to walk any further.  I was ready to call it a day.

But it seems I was born under a lucky star after all!  There were two indoor exhibition buildings and as I glanced along the rows in the second building debating whether I wanted to struggle along them, I saw what looked like GI Joe type dolls.  I headed over immediately.

When I saw the dolls I felt like all the agony of walking along may pay off after all.  I walked up to the man in the booth and cheerfully struck up a conversation.  I asked if he happened to have any larger dolls other than the action figures and Barbie’s I saw as I got closer.

Without skipping a beat he said “I sure do,” and turned, reached to his left and out popped Kianna!  I was stunned!  I told him that I was in shock and asked how much he wanted for her.  His price was $10 USD.  I asked if I could look her over and removed her pants to see how tight the elastic in her legs was.  She was in great shape in terms of her joints.  However, I noted paint in her hair, paint and some other substance on her face, her left leg was covered in some kind of goo, she had foot wear and the saddest of the marks on her was her chest.  Whoever had her and decided to detail her chest with nipples.  My heart sank because it looked like nail polish.
The vendor asked what I thought of her and I mentioned the issues and asked if his price was firm.  Cheerfully he asked me if I was going to bargain with him.  I told him yes and he laughed.  I brought up the chest issue and he tried to get the substance off.  He did manage to take off the first layer but I could see the plastic was stained.  He gave me suggestions on what I could use to clean it off and I politely nodded knowing that these chemicals would damage her further.  I offered $8.00 and he accepted.  We chatted for a while and I learned he had another large doll but didn’t think it was a TTD, based on the picture I showed him. 

I did not find another item that I wanted during the rest of the swap meet and was so glad to finally leave.  In the car I took the wet wipes I carry everywhere and began to clean off the crud from her face, legs and feet.  As it turned out her feet were not damaged at all.  I was happy. 

Once cleaned up (with the exception of her hair) she was beautiful and in great shape.  She came with her original pants, belt and jacket. 

This doll was another Kianna.  I now had 2 Kianna’s and of course, Wiccah.  Even though I think this doll’s hair will be okay once she is completely bathed, I will re-root her with a copper color hair.  I intend to keep her green eyes, but may alter the color of her lips.  I think that with luxurious copper red hair, green eyes and medium pink lips she will be utterly beautiful.

I knew immediately what I would name her and what element she would represent.  I named her Kindell and she would represent the element of fire. 

During this trip I had acquired 3 dolls in less than a week.  Dolls I had struggled to find at home.  I was elated.

Part of the life of the collector is the journey along the path of finding the treasures.  This time it wasn’t the journey, it was the end of the journey and that road led me to 3 amazing new dolls to add to my growing little family.

Gotta love that!!!

As always, let kindness and positive energy
fill your mind, body and soul.


Blessed Be, My Friends!




Wednesday 22 July 2015

Genevieve - Double the Surprise

I bid on a few dolls on eBay during my trip to Arizona.  I was very lucky to come across and win the next bid.  This doll was Gabby and I got her for 3.24 USD plus shipping.  She came with her original outfit and the box and was being shipped from Hinesville, Georgia.

Luckily I saw this doll only a few hours before the auction was ending.  Waiting for the countdown was tough.  I kept refreshing my screen even though there were hours left.  When the waiting was finally over and I was notified that I had won the auction, I was really happy.  After struggling for nearly 2 years to get my four girls, I got 2 in one day!  How amazing is that?

Her name and designation was decided a few days prior to her arrival but I knew that I would change it if it didn’t seem right.  As it turned out she fit her name for me; I decided to name her Genevieve.  She would represent the element of Water.  She was delivered on 20 April 2015 and I was so happy.  She came with a T-shirt, pants, jacket, her original necklace and original earrings.

After a bath and her hair combed and trimmed, she looks great.  She does suffer a little from Floppy Leg Syndrome but not so much that it I will have to do any alterations just yet.  She is a twin to Summer so I must change her appearance.  Her hair will be re-rooted and her eyes and lips possibly repainted to give her a unique look. 

I always wonder what will happen when they begin to have a life with me.  The sky’s the limit, really.  I am so happy I got her!

There was another auction which I was outbid on at the very last second.  I was very disappointed for a few hours after but then I remembered that everything happens for a reason.  The dolls were also Gabby dolls.

From Arizona we headed over to Oregon to a swap meet and there I’d hoped I’d be lucky enough to get a couple more dolls.  Luck was with me so far and I had hoped it would continue.  But that’s another story…

As always, let kindness and positive energy
fill your mind, body and soul.

Blessed Be, My Friends!

Sunday 19 July 2015

Raven - A Complete Surprise

While in Arizona searching the internet for dolls, I came across a brand new posting on eBay in a suburb that was only 2 hours away from where we have a house.  I immediately wrote the seller asking if she would consider changing the ad to a “buy it now” so that I could buy it and pick it up instead of shipping it all the way to Canada – that’s if I won the auction more than six days away.

Amazing seller, this was!  She agreed and changed the ad to “buy it now”.  I had placed a bid on the doll as soon as I saw it so I had my finger in the pie just in case.  We would drive down the next day and pick her up.  The pictures were not clear but I believed it was Kianna though the description said the doll had blue eyes and black streaked hair.

I was so elated my face hurt from smiling so much!  (grin!)

When I picked her up she was in passable shape, her head a bit wobbly (which took only to put push it back onto the little knob) and matted hair.  I noticed her clothes had never been removed; they were still pinned together by the manufacturer’s tags.  When I had her in the car, the first thing I did was remove her pants to check her legs.  Because she was played with yet her clothes never removed, the elastic in her legs was stretched so she does have a bit of the floppy leg issue.  This is something I think I can touch up. 

She had a bit of makeup on her face which rubbed off without leaving any marks or stains.  That made me very happy because it was across her forehead and eyes.  There was some on her hands too that just cleaned off with a wet wipe.

Her clothes were in great shape and once laundered they’ll be just fine to wear again.  I was very happy to see her original boots too.  Finding anything for these dolls is nearly impossible so having another set is a great find.

As it turned out, after a bath, a trim and a good inspection, I decided to name her Raven.  She would represent the element of Air.  Being the twin to Wiccah, her hair is dark brown with blonde highlights so I’ve decided to re-root her hair black but possibly paint her eyes a deep blue and change her lip color as best I can.  Pictures to come!

Overall I’m happy with her and feel blessed to have found the next chapter of TTD’s for our growing little family!

As always, let kindness and positive energy
fill your mind, body and soul.

Blessed Be, My Friends!


Wednesday 15 July 2015

Growing Pains - Changes

Prior to creating my blog, I prepared for it by gathering subjects to post when the time came.  I wrote, edited, took photos, etc. all in preparation for getting this blog off the ground.

I’m fairly computer savvy but I have to admit creating this blog was crazy!!  It took me a whole day just to get the first page the way I wanted it!

Once I had the opening page created I didn’t have any posts published because I wanted to ensure the first ones were just right. 

I am a fiction writer and have written several manuscripts I hope to publish one day.  Writing the blog posts is fairly simple for me.  I write them the same way I write my novels.  Get the info down and then edit like crazy!  But you can run into over-editing so you have to just say its good as it is for now and move forward.

The first post of my doll blog was a relief.  It was over, now just have fun!  However, since the new girls arrived almost all the posts I’ve pre-written will not apply as they are.  Everything references my four girls, not seven.

Also, articles that were ready to post on their fashions have now been put on hold as I create the other 3 sets.  I have to retake most of the group clothing photos, jewelry and other photos as well.  Hopefully I can transition this without too many hiccups along the way.  Needless to say I am so happy to have the seven girls even though I have to make many changes.

I’m excited to be able to post about their makeovers as well.  That’s going to be a whole lot of fun as I give them a brand new look.  I’ve re-rooted several dolls and the new colored hair I have picked for each girl will make them very unique. 

The makeovers will take some time since I have 3 girls to work on and this summer has been very busy so far.  My mantra these days seems to be “slow and steady wins the race”.  I’m the turtle, not the hare (grin) 

Change is a comin’ and will continue to come.  I’m ready for it…I think!

As always, let kindness and positive energy
fill your mind, body and soul.


Blessed Be, My Friends!

Wednesday 8 July 2015

Our Little Family is Growing!!

I never thought I would find any additional Teen Trends Dolls as easily as I did.  It took so long just to get the four girls and suddenly our little family has grown from 4 to 7 in just 3 days!  I’m very happy for my trip to Phoenix, Arizona this year!  It was so productive!

I am always looking for more dolls.  I search the internet, thrift shops, eBay and Kijiji (our version of Craig’s List) almost every day.  Usually the dolls I find on eBay, the seller will not ship to Canada.  Kijiji has dried up since I got Summer back in April 2013.  Same with the thrift shops I visit…nothing. (frown)

My first week in Arizona was spent finding all kinds of trinkets and stuff with no sight of my dolls.  I did feel disappointed.  Still as much as I felt brief moments of doubt I’d add to my little doll family, I continued to think positive knowing that when the time was right, the new girls would become available.

And the power of three strikes again.  Within three days I find three dolls.  How cool is that!?  (yes I know you should never have two punctuation marks at the end of a sentence but this is a doll blog, not a writer’s blog – which I also host (grin).  And my computer doesn’t have the interrobang so it’s all good) but I digress….

My 4 girls represent seasons.  As I thought of adding to them I knew that there were other representations I wanted to have as a part of our little coven of teenage witches (see Magic & Mayhem – The Life and Times of the Silvervale Sisters).  The elements of earth, water, air and fire symbolize much in my beliefs.  The moon, the stars, and the sun also embody the circle of energy for me.    Having the girls represent these fundamentals strengthens the positive energy I try to keep around me at all times.

Raven, Genevieve & Kindell have come into our family and are beginning a new chapter for the girls.  I want to take this moment to officially welcome them!

Wiccah, Rowan, Summer and Amber are the Chapter of Seasons.  Raven, Genevieve & Kindell begin the Chapter of Elements.  When the time is right our family will grow to complete this chapter with the addition of a new sister and the element of Earth.

After this, the possibility to begin an additional Chapter of Universe, which will include the moon, the stars, the sun and planets, is planned.

When all is said and done, the final chapter is a body of one – the 13th sister to complete the family.  I am excited to take my girls in this next direction! 

Since there were only four individual dolls made by Mattel, I already knew I would have to change their appearance to make them unique in their own right.  Hair color, eye color and lip color all can be easily altered to create new looks.  Since these girls have a chapter already picked out, I can modify their look based on this criterion.  My four girls will remain as they are.  The new girls will get the makeover (grin).  I am truly excited to get this project underway!

I’ve named each girl according to their representation.  Raven represents Air, Kindell represents Fire, and Genevieve represents Water.


My imagination is just whirring away with ideas for their storyline!  And just when I thought I had finished a set of four of their fashions, I’m crocheting again like a madwoman to dress these new girls.  I’m excited to introduce them so let’s get started!

As always, let kindness and positive energy
fill your mind, body and soul.


Blessed Be, My Friends!