Saturday, January 2, 2016

News and Updates for the New Year

I didn’t expect this to be such a long post, so I’m dividing it into sections. That way if you’re not interested in reading it all, you can skip to whichever part interests you.


LOOK WHO’S HERE!
I was online taking advantage of Target’s sale on kids’ denim and found some pants that were out of stock for shipping. Since my only option was in-store pickup, I decided to check the product page for the highly anticipated Made to Move doll in the yellow top. I remembered from my previous searches that she was only available in store, so I figured I might as well kill two birds with one stone if possible. I was thrilled to see that she was in stock in several stores in my area. I called customer service and spoke to an associate in toys. He informed me that the dolls hadn’t been placed on the shelves yet, but he could see that there were four in the stock room. I asked him to leave one at the service desk for me, and here she is. The photo of her with Grace and Kara is so you can see her complexion. She’s not a spot on match to Grace, but she’s closer in coloring to Grace than Kara.


 
MtM (no name yet) with Phoebe


GOALS for 2016:
-I plan to limit my doll purchases to 24. This may sound like a lot, but it’s less than a third of what I bought in 2015. Yikes! This number will include characters needed for existing story lines, dolls purchased for clothes/accessories only, and dolls purchased as body donors. I know action figures aren’t technically dolls, but I’m including them in the limit, too. Why the limit you ask? The number of dolls waiting for their stories to be told just keeps growing and growing. I can’t keep up! I have at least a dozen stories partially written and dozens more that are nothing but seed ideas. That wouldn’t be a problem if this were a full-time job, but it’s not. It’s a hobby. I like the idea of having a hobby. I don’t like the idea of a hobby having me.

-I will focus my spending on furniture and props for my dios. I typically have one big project for each year. For 2014, it was Tastries bakery. For 2015, it was Wedding Belles bridal salon. This year, it’s My Cup of Tea- a tea room owned by one of the new residents.

-I plan to introduce 2 new story lines. One will feature Lena and her immediate family and friends. The other will feature my handsome Hommes and the ladies who love them- lol.

-I plan to prioritize my time better. I was reminded of how precious time is when a dear friend of mine passed away two days before Christmas. She was very ill and had undergone a number of surgeries. She was a primary teacher who adopted two baby girls, because that’s just how much she loved children and wanted to be a mom. She leaves behind those two precious girls (ages 4 and 2). My heart breaks for them, so I pray for them daily and I cherish every moment with my own girls even more than before.


WHAT I BOUGHT/WHAT I PLAN TO BUY:
Here are the dolls I purchased from Black Friday through the end of December.

Claudette Gordon (attorney)
Georgia Mae Belcourt (owner of SpecialTea)
Liam Hawthorne
Dorothy Jean Fisher
Floyd & Phoebe -shown here with their parents
Dr. Jenn Lopez (OB-GYN)

Floyd is on a Life in the Dreamhouse Ken body (found in clearance aisle at Walmart). Phoebe is on a Style Teresa body (2015 version w/ articulated ankles). Jennifer is on a Style Teresa body.

I also ordered Made to Move Bambi and The Barbie Look Urban Jungle with an Amazon gift card I received for Christmas. I didn’t renew my Prime membership for 2015, so I’m still waiting for them to be delivered. L

The following dolls are on my wish list to purchase this year: 
-The Barbie Look Night Out 
-2016 Birthday Wishes Barbie AA + donor body 
-Barbra Streisand (needed for a story line) 
-BFC Ink Calista (needed for a story line). 
I appreciate any and all leads for the two dolls that are no longer available for purchase in stores.


UPDATES:
Don’t forget about the furniture giveaway. It will be posted soon. The Etsy seller offered me free shipping if I held my order until the holiday rush was over. I never turn down free shipping.

I’ve made a few family and job changes that can be seen on the Characters page. None of the dolls affected are major players, so the changes shouldn’t throw anyone off too much.

Here are some storyline previews, teasers, and spoilers for those of you who read my photo stories J
-Lena tries to help her wayward sister. 
-Victor plays with fire by breaking Barb’s number one rule.
-Grace and Darren buy a new house.
-Liam and Allison team up to execute a devious plan.


THANKS, BRINI!
I love Brini’s annual Christmas giveaways. This past year, Brini hosted a moving-themed giveaway with some really cool prizes like doll furniture and appliances. I was the lucky winner of the Barbie Story Starter washer/dryer set. When my package arrived, I decided to wait until Christmas to open it, even though I knew what was inside. Imagine my surprise on Christmas morning when I discovered TWO extra little gifts in the box with my prize. Brini had sent along some bling for me and an outfit for my dolls! She sewed the tunic and pants and knitted the little scarf herself. Jeanine will wear the full outfit when she introduces my final holiday giveaway. I hope you’ll come back to see it.


Image from Barbie.com


Happy New Year! 
I wish you all much health and happiness in 2016!

32 comments:

  1. Happy New Year Jewell!
    This post was very interesting, above all I appreciate what you said about limiting the doll buying and not allowing your hobby to have you. I look forward for the progresses on the new diorama and stories!

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    1. Thanks, Billa! It's too easy to get sucked into doll-related projects. As much as I enjoy the dollies, I have to leave time for real life, too.

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  2. I think giving yourself a doll limit is a good idea or maybe a suggestion?! Can't wait for your new dios and your stories! Happy New Year to you too!

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    1. Thanks, Phyllis. I think a limit will really help me. I have a tendency to buy on impulse, but shopping from a list or within limits forces me to slow down and really think about my purchases.

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  3. More story lines! Yay!

    Yeah, I get ya on having the population expand faster than one's own time to tell their stories or equip them properly... a limit sounds like a wonderful idea. Best wishes on having exactly the right number of wonderful finds to stay within it.

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    1. Thanks, Smaller Places! I figured you could relate as I've seen you work very hard to outfit your new arrivals in a timely fashion. Your gals seem very patient. My newbies seem to have a list of demands: clothes, furniture, and camera time...good grief.

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  4. Happy New Year! It's fun to hear how each person approaches collecting.
    I try to only collect one dollhouse of each type. Cheers CM

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    1. Happy 2016 to you, too, My Realitty! I agree that it's interesting to read about different approaches to collecting. How I wish I had space for multiple dollhouses! It's a good thing I don't.

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  5. Happy New Year! It's fun to hear how each person approaches collecting.
    I try to only collect one dollhouse of each type. Cheers CM

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  6. Happy New Year!

    The more I see of those Made to Move Barbies, the more I'm drawn to them, so thanks for sharing her (and the others!). :)

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    1. jSarie, I think you simply must get at least one of these dolls. You have such variety in your collection, and to not have a Made to Move Barbie among your crew just wouldn't be right somehow- lol

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  7. You have Made To Move Nikki! She's the one I'm impatiently waiting for of the Made To Move girls :-). Great spoilers on the stories, I look forward to read more! Less new dolls and more props and furniture, that sounds like a perfect plan! Have a beautiful new year!

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I hope you do not have to wait much longer.

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  8. Happy New Year! Thanks for sharing the made-to-move lady. My Target is wiped out right now but that means they'll have to put out new stock soon...
    24 dolls sounds like a perfectly reasonable amount to me. ;-)

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    1. Happy 2016, Bai Yi Lin! The first Target I visited was wiped out, too. The whole toy section was just sad-looking. I'm really hoping 24 gives me plenty of wiggle room.

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  9. You made really great purchases! Did the attorney use to be a Monster High? I am going to get two Made to Move dolls today! Add my prayers to yours for your friend's little girls.
    Wishing a great New Year to you!

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    1. Thanks, grandmommy. You know I never realized until just now how much Claudette looks like Clawdeen Wolf! She's actually Harlem Theater Claudette Gordon. Perhaps she and Clawdeen are related or even twins separated at birth. Can you imagine what a storyline that would be- lol

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  10. I am very sorry to hear about the lost of your friend. My prayers are flowing for the two precious little ones.

    Happy New Year to you!!! Congratulations on finding that MTM AA doll!! She seems to be the most rare. I am looking forward to reading your upcoming stories! ;-). They are always so well written, awesome and juicy! :-) Many blessings to you on your Goals for 2016!!

    Congratulations on winning Brini's give away!!

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    1. Many thanks, Georgia Girl! I can't wait to bring her to our next doll club meeting.

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  11. I get the doll limit. You want the dolls, but you also have to focus on the stories. Looking forward to seeing what hapoens with the residents this year.

    Congratulations on getting the MTM doll!

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    1. Thanks, Janainah. The limit wouldn't be necessary if I were a displayer, but that's not the kind of collector I am. I'm a PLAYER!

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  12. One of the things I like about blogs is the New Year Blog! I love your purchases and your plans! Congrats on your gifts too! I am looking forward to see your plans come to be. I'm making my list too. I hope it is nice as yours.

    You answered a question I had about how close the Made to Move body is to the Cara body.

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    1. Thanks, Ms. Leo. I'm glad I could answer one of your questions and I look forward to your list.

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  13. I've spent the last two days looking for AA MTM. Which Target did you get her from? I'm really hoping she won't always be this elusive. You bought some really nice dolls. I almost didn't recognize Jennifer with her hair pulled back. I really like your Georgia Mae doll. Looking forward to the new and the old stories. Congrats on your gifts!

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    1. Thanks, Vanessa. I sent a text about the dolls and I see you found some. Jennifer has such a friendly face and I agree she looks quite different with her hair pulled back. Will we be seeing your JLo anytime soon?

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    2. I have so many dolls that need to make an appearance. I will see if JLo will come and play.

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  14. Great rundown on your doll purchases, Jewell... Glad we both have Joyce in our collection - I really really like her =)

    I agree on limiting ourselves with our doll purchases. I haven't gone your level yet, because my budget doesn't allow me to LOL! My limit for this year will probably still be less than 10 as I will be focusing on diorama items.
    Lastly, another thing we share --- we both are lucky winners of Brini's wonderful giveaways! I am just waiting for my coffee table set to arrive and I'm so excited to put them in my diorama. Brini is just the sweetest =)

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    1. Thanks, Shasha. I'm hoping my total for the year will be closer to yours, but I left myself a lot of wiggle room for some much needed characters and to allow for dolls purchased for clothes or accessories only. That table set was a great prize. I look forward to seeing it in your photos.

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  15. hello,I tagged you for the liebster award.you can see it on my blog.I had some problems,the words are messy on that post but at least you can read the new questions.i will try to fix it.

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    1. Now that I've finished a photo story, I can start working on the answers to your questions. Thanks for the tag, My doll stuff!

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