Long Shot Wish List

I think that it was Treesa who suggested I make a blog post about dolls that I would like to add to my collection but probably never will, either because they're expensive or hard to find. This seems like a good time to make that post, because for a little over a month now, I've been dealing with a pinched nerve in my lower back. When the pain is at its worst, everything hurts, from getting dressed to doing laundry, even to just sitting. I really haven't felt up to much doll photography or crafting. I had my first physical therapy appointment a few days ago, and it went well, so I'm hopeful about the future. In the meantime, here is my list of dolls that are on what I call my long shot wish list.

1. Sugar Cups

Sugar Cups is a line of small dolls (13cm) made by Azone. They're only available for a limited amount of time after they're announced, they're over $100 a piece, and since Azone is a Japanese company, they're not easily accessible in the US. Azone has released some of their dolls to Japanese toy stores in the past, which does make them easier to buy. I've bought from HobbyLinkJapan previously.

2. Rainbow High Lily Cheng

Lily was released in 2022 to celebrate the Chinese New Year. She came with two outfits. She was a limited edition doll, and the only holiday edition type doll that MGA ever released. Rainbow High also released Lila Yamamoto from Japan as a regular doll, but she can't hold a candle to Lily Cheng. Lily NRFB will put you back at least $280 currently.

3. Madeline's friend Nona, by Eden

I have all of the dolls in this line except for Nona. I hate to say that it is because Nona has long blond hair that makes her so desirable, but there is definitely some reason she will cost you so much more to add to your collection. Madeline herself new in box will cost you around $30. Nona recently sold NRFB for $150. Picture taken from Fandom Wiki.

4. Effanbee Petite Filles Babette

These dolls were made with the same bodies as the Tonner 10" Ann Estelle dolls. I already have one Mimi, who was the other doll from the line. 

 

Mimi and Babette's earlier outfits were meant to resemble 1850s style, but both Mimi and Babette were released several times in different outfits. I'd take any NRFB Babette, but they weren't huge releases, and now they'd cost a pretty penny. I have my eye on another Mimi on eBay, and the buyer is asking $200 for her. This picture of Babette is from tonnerdolloutfits.org, but she acquired it from an eBay auction, which is long since gone.

5. Old Releases of Kurhn Dolls with Fashions

I found the doll pictured below on AliExpress, many years ago. I tried to order her, but got the message that she was not in stock. I'm presuming that she was made at some point? If she was, she was probably only sold in China and maybe surrounding countries. Yes, Kurhn dolls are still available now, but I really liked the outfits. I doubt I'll ever find one like this, if they were ever produced.

I am thankful that I know how to sew. I could make clothes for the Mimi doll that I have, and also a Kurhn doll that I own. I may someday pick up at least one Sugar Cup, and if I found some of Lily's accessories loose, I could make clothes similar to what Lily is wearing. I'm resigned to never adding Nona to my Madeline collection, but Madeline and her other friends can get on without her.

I'm hoping to be doing well enough to work on a Thanksgiving diorama, since October's obviously isn't going to happen. :)

A Grail Doll for Christmas

For Christmas 2020, Mr. BTEG gave me the Effanbee Ann Estelle Dottie Delight doll. I'd sold her during a dark time in our lives, thinking I wouldn't regret it, but I ended up doing so. This 10" Ann Estelle has been on my wish list for at least five or six years, and finally this Christmas, I was fortunate enough that there was an Ann Estelle NRFB on the market, and Mr. BTEG had the wherewithal to buy her for me! I'm putting up a group of pictures of her here, so you can all see what she looks like. I'm not counting her in my My Collection series yet, though. I'll do that when I introduce you to my entire Ann Estelle crew.

Did any of you get some nice dolly surprises for Christmas?

10 Inch Tonner Patsy with New Dress

I've been wanting to acquire a new Tonner Patsy, largely because I wanted to see the new body with bending knees, elbows and wrists. Unfortunately for me, the new Patsy dolls don't really appeal to me, even after seeing one in person. Their combination of large eyes, lots of long, applied eyelashes, and sober appearance was too waif-like for me. Picture Oliver Twist saying "Please, can I have some more?"

However, when I saw Sydney of Dolly Panic was giving Patsy dolls new eyes, and new wigs, I found a Patsy I could bring home.

I've been debating a name for her. I think I might go with Posy. I love her new gray eyes, and I think her painted-on eyelashes are perfectly fine. Her wig is very nice and soft.

I've been wanting to blog about her sooner, but I wanted to give her something to wear first! With the warm weather arriving here in NE Ohio, a sundress was perfect to sew, and not too difficult. I still hate gathers, though. Her dress is made out of blue cotton chambray, with fake tucks on the bodice, and insertion trim on the skirt. The bodice is lined with cotton voile, which I again starched. The voile is so thin and delicate that it unravels very easily. I may stick with a cotton batiste as a lining for the bigger dolls.

Ann and Sophie are happy to welcome Posy to their group.

Since Posy has a new body, I took a couple of pictures comparing this latest body with the oldest one. In between these two types, 10 inch dolls got bending knees, and now have added bending elbows and wrists. Other doll lines that have used this body are Petite Filles, Dr. Seuss, Half Pint, and It's a Small World. Half Pint and Patsy dolls are technically dolls by Effanbee, which is owned by Robert Tonner. The official Effanbee site has not been updated since 2010, however. Half Pint and Mary Engelbreit dolls are also from Effanbee.

I have to admit as far as weight and feel, I prefer the older body. It's nice to have both kinds now, though.

Tonner has certainly gotten a lot of use out of the 10 inch body sculpt. I will be looking for a few more of this body type to add to my collection.