Fair Valentine Barbie 1997 Hallmark

I can live without Mackie. Not that I don’t appreciate the harmony and beauty of her features, but I can admire them from afar. Once in a while however, there appears a doll  that I cannot resist.  In December I spotted as many as four such Mackie dolls, they took high places on my wish list in a blink of an eye. These are Fair Valentine Barbie 1997, Mrs. Pfe Albee Barbie 1997 and her successor from 1998 as well as the lovely Barbie as Marzipan 1999 I’ve already mentioned in the post on my Sugar Plum Fairy Barbie.

I’ve recently managed to get a hold on the Fair Valentine. She belongs to the underappreciated Be My Valentine Collector Series/ Hallmark. Fair Valentine is the third in a series and the remaining two are the Sweet Valentine and Sentimental Valentine. All three dolls come with St. Valentine cards, amazing, detailed outfits and are packaged in neat boxes that open like a book. Two out of three have the Superstar faces, but it was Mackie that I like the best. The dolls and their outfits were inspired by paintings of famous artists.

Sweet Valentine Barbie 1995

 the source: https://barbie.mattel.com/shop/en-us

 

Sentimental Valentine Barbie 1996

the source: https://barbie.mattel.com/shop/en-us

My Valentin is a dolly version of the beauty in the Portrait of Mademoiselle Guimard by Jacques-Louis David. There’s a miniature of the painting printed on the lid of the box as well as a romantic description of the doll. The box itself is really nice and in a perfect condition. The artwork both outside and inside is breathtaking and a perfect background for the doll. I thought to myself that perhaps I should keep her NRFB but that’s not me. I’m like a kid, I have to debox a doll and admire every inch of her and all the details of her outfit. In any case it should be fairly easy to put her back to the box, she was held with just a few wires – one was planted in her hair and pulled a couple strands! I guess that’s still better than a plastic tab shot through the back of her head. So cruel!

the source: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/179932947586417041/?lp=true

 

Mattel’s notorious for creating a prototype, photographing it and making an impression that’s the doll you’re going to get and then ….. changing their mind! My Valentine is one of such cases. I’m not sure if that’s for better or worse, I like both the doll in the promo pictures and the end product. The prototype’s colors are more vibrant, darker in general and she has less make-up. In reality the doll’s expression is softer and the eyeshadow gives some more dimension to her face and depth to her expression. The hair, however, is solid! There’s so much product in it that it looks like a perfectly shaped doughnut was glued to her head. She doesn’t even need the rubber band that got disintegrated over the years. I had hard time digging its remnants out of the doughnut. Yuck!

Fair Valentine Barbie 1997 promo

the source: https://barbie.mattel.com/shop/en-us

The doll’s dress is also modified. The collar is missing and the sleeves are different. The royal blue was changed into much softer bottle green. I wouldn’t mind a couple roses for the doll to carry in her lacy apron, just like in the portrait. Now the dress is actually a two-piece – the pink part is separate. The design in general is really good and well executed too, though it’s polyester while you’d expect cotton, but it’s a doll so I guess it’s acceptable. The piece that the outfit is missing is the proper underwear! Where are her bloomers I ask?! And her stockings too! I’m joking of course, but if Pullip can wear bloomers, why not Barbie from the time period? She’s got molded in panties instead. I like her rubbery shoes though.

So far I’ve managed to collect only two Mackies, both have that porcelain doll look that I love about them. Mackie headmold is incredibly versatile and it can be a great face for an angel and a devil and both would look good. The Mackie image is consistent in all the dolls on my wish list, but I’m thinking about a Mackie badass. There are a few that would do really well. Until that time, here’s my two “porcelain” Mackies.

A story of one blankie

Some time ago, I took part in a giveaway held by one of my favorite bloggers – Inka. The prize was a doll-sized handmade crochet blankie. Inka is a talented and creative person, but she’s also very kind and since she couldn’t pick just one winner, she changed her plans and made more blankies to reward ALL participants! I like mine a lot and it calls for playtime! It so happened that my Firstborn is currently at home enjoying her winter break. I put my Secondborn (I’m sure there’s no such word in English) to her nap, conveniently enough because she’s crazy about my dolls and she’s far too young for them! Anyway, me and my eldest took the blankie, some dolls from the cabinet, the camera and we had loads of fun making up this little story. The pictures are just horrible though, bad lighting and too much laughing!

The Narrator: Once upon a time, three dolls heard a sound of the doorbell and sneaked (snuck?) out of the cabinet ….

Skipper: Coffee got something, maybe it’s a new doll? Or better yet - Kevin!!!!!!!

Courtney: Nope, that’s not Kevin, that’s something insanely colorful and pretty! Ok, she’s left, let’s check this out!

Skipper: That’s a blankie! So pretty, and in my favorite colors! It’s handmade! We’re taking it, lend me a hand!

Courtney: Oh, heavy, my hands are falling off! Let’s put it down.

Skipper: Not here, a little more to the right. No, the OTHER right! That’s better …. No, too far. A little more to the left … just a bit more …

Courtney: Why don’t you help us instead of just giving commands! My joints are getting loose, I’m from the 90s girl!

Skipper: Ok, put it down. It’s not perfect, but it’ll have to do. Now spread it out, make it even!!

Skipper: Gosh, I’m dead tired!

Courtney: You’re tired?!!!!

Skipper AA: I’d kill for something to drink.

Skipper: Now, that’s an idea! Girls, why don’t you go and bring some refreshments and I’ll …. keep an eye on the blankie. Looks like Ken might claim it for his own.

Courtney: Ok, Skipper AA, let’s go.

Skipper: Finally, thought they’d never go. This blankie is MINE bwahahahaha! I’m moving in. I’m going for my stuff. There’s no room for the girls, they’re gonna have to find their own blankie!

Skipper AA: Hey, we’ve got some soda …. Ummm

Courtney: Skipp, aren’t you feeling waaaaay too much at home? What about us?

Skipper: Sorry girls, ask Coffee for another blankie, maybe she’ll make one for you.

Skipper AA: Coffee is hopeless at this stuff. Come on girl, share!

Courtney: Come on Skipper AA, don’t ask her, she wants the blankie all for herself! We’re taking our soda.

Skipper: Good, I gave some of my own AND …. Reese’s Pieces!

Skipper AA: Not Reese’s pieces! You’re cruel!

Courtney: Skipp AA, we’re leaving!

Courtney: She’s fooled us! Hoodwinked, backstabbed us! She’s not gonna get away with it!

Skipper AA: So what are you planning?

Courtney: Revenge, oh sweet revenge!

Skipper AA: Yes, but what are you going to DO?

Courtney: You mean “what are WE going to do” Listen, here’s how it’s gonna be – psyt-psyt-psyyyyt

The Narrator: Skipper drank the soda and ate all the Reese’s pieces and now she’s fast asleep …. with her eyes open like Gandalf. Meanwhile, Courtney and Skpper AA concocted a plan and now they’re putting it into effect.

Courtney: Help me Skipp AA, we’re taking all this stuff.

Skipper AA: Hush! She’s gonna wake up!

Courtney: Don’t you fret, she’s fast asleep.

Courtney: Ok, let’s roll her up!

Skipper AA: On the count of three! Ready? One, two, threeeeee!

Skipper: Hey, what is going on here? I can’t move! Giiiiiiiiiirls?!!!!!!!

Courtney: Serves you right!

Skipper: Come on girls! Let me out!

Courtney: No! Unless you promise to share the blankie!

Skipper: Alright, alright, I will! Just let me out!

Courtney: Well …. I don’t know. What do you think Skipp AA?

Skipper AA: Oh Courtney, let’s release her!

Courtney: Fine, but we want Reese’s pieces, lots and lots of Reese’s pieces!

Skipper: You got it!

Courtney: Now isn’t that nice? You should’ve done this in the first place.

Skipper: Yeah, I suppose you’re right.

Skipper AA: And that’s a lesson for you Skipp.

T H E   E N D

INKA thanks a lot! Hugs!

Barbie and the Beat Midge 1989

I’m not very patient and that’s a fact. However, I’d been waiting for my Barbie and the Beat Midge 1989 for nearly 30 years! Perhaps that’s why I was so picky and rejected so many Midge dolls during selection process. One doll had dry hair, another one was missing her outfit or some parts of it, and neiter had the guitar! No, no compromising, she had to be perfect and complete. I’d waited so long, a few more months would make no difference. Well, here she is, and I’m satisfied at last. Now this post is going to be long, so you can listen to the Barbie and the Beat band. Barbie came with a cassette!

In 1989 Mattel produced one of the most recognizable Barbie series – Barbie and the Beat. The series consisted of three fabulous dolls – Barbie, Midge and Christie. Each of them came with a guitar and an outfit that was made of several separate pieces that could give you two looks – for rehearsal and for the concert. The outfits could glow in the dark. There were also 6 additional fashions released. One more thing, in Europe the series was known as Barbie Disco.

 the source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stundika/16471382205

the source: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/532550724664649425/?lp=true

When I published the post on my All Stars Midge I mentioned another Midge was on her way and she was so great she could dethrone the lovely Wedding Day Midge. I’m not sure if she did that but she’s amazing and I’m so happy to own her at last. I remember having seen her for the first time when I was little. My cousin owned her and since I didn’t know the doll’s name, I called her the redhead Barbie. I also have a faint recollection of my cousin owning the remaining two in her collection, but it’s possible that I saw the dolls in a catalogue or on the back of the box. Anyway, I made a great discovery at that time – there were Barbie dolls with red hair and dark skin!

My Midge’s missing only her blue pumps and her brush, but the rest of her stock is still there and in great condition. So the outfit comes with a fiercely orange top that shows off her belly and her shoulders, a miniskirt, a lacy “pepelum” and that’s what Midge wears when she goes to the band rehearsal. On stage she can wear a denim jacket and a skirt and the legwarmers (?) or whatever they are. Anyway, the fluorescent paint still works, I’ve checked that! Love those blue gems.

I cannot believe in all those years nobody took her ring or her earrings out, and even the hair piece is still there. Of course I like the guitar the best! When I was a kid I had no idea the Rockers existed so the first time I ever saw a Barbie guitar was in the Beat series. Each of the doll had a different color guitar and their colors were so juicy and fiercely neon.

Although the doll came almost complete and in a great condition, she smelled of cigarettes, yuck! A bath was inevitable and I despaired because her hair was in such a great shape – it looked like it had never been brushed and it wasn’t all that frzzy either. I needn’t have worried, a bit of shampoo and some conditioner helped recreate those lovely curls. This is some high quality kanekalon! The doll has a lovely face but somehow that face is all blurred in my memory. I remember the hair and those freckles though and the outfit and that guitar. Yes, that’s her, the doll that I never had and I never even asked my mom for her, no use. Those were strange times in my country and a doll like that was a luxury.

My Midge dolls grow in numer and for the limited time I had to take photos I olny took out another frecked Midge to compare – the All Stars Midge. Till next time!