DIMPLES!

 I found this 18" Dimples in a local thrift store.
She was made from 1928 to 1930
by the Horsman Company.

I know I said I was not getting anymore
composition dolls, but how could
 I leave her there?!?

She has quite a bit of crackling and some

small splits around her eyes and mouth.

But just look at that face!

This is the Horsman Mark on her neck.

E.I.H.CO,INC.

Dimples have a very sophisticated design.

Her legs twist independently at the hip

and her arms twist at the shoulder.

She was wearing this dress.

It is old, but is not made

for Dimples. Much too small!

Someone added this placket to make it fit her.

I set the dress to soak. It's not so

obvious in the photo, but the

water turned yellow!

Here is the dress Dimples came in.

It looks much better on Sally Ann.

I still need to remove the extra placket, but

that will have to wait til another time.

Dimple's face is crackled, but in pretty

good shape.  I am going to do a

"cosmetic only" freshen up on her.

I am always reluctant to do a big restore 

on an antique doll that is this old 

and in this good of shape.

I did use some wood filler to stabilize

some cracks on her feet and legs.

I used my usual DRY sponging technique

to touch up her face.

I use acrylics and a makeup sponge.

I dip the sponge in the paint. It is then

patted on a paper towel until almost 

completely dry. 

(I forgot to take pictures!)

Then the paint is patted onto the doll

with the makeup sponge.  It is

very dry and matte.

Here is the link to my tutorial

Restoring hair and face paint

I touched up her hair color in front.

She is a sweet Ginger baby!

She got some baby tights and little

crochet slippers.

So cute!! She has very realistic baby features.

WANT TO SEE DIMPLES NOW?

HERE

SHE

IS!!

She looks happier!

This crochet baby dress I found in a thrift store.

I found the hat in ANOTHER thrift store!

Not perfect by any means, but much improved.

Such sweet features!

Before and After

OK, so after I was all done photographing

Dimples, I read an article about 

Dimples Dolls here. 

Dimples Dolls by Toy Box Philosopher

This lady said she cleans using

acrylic paint to fill in the cracks on

Dimples skin, then she buffs off

the paint until the compo shine comes 

back!  I used my microfiber cloth

 and it works!

She also noted that Dimples never had

eyebrows, so I removed those.

I need to spend more time on Dimples skin

but the shine is coming back!

Amazing Thrift Finds!

Thrift store doll clothes are so fun to find.

I found these pieces in my town.

I particularly love this dress because...

Dachshunds!

This dress will be getting a makeover.

This grey and white floral is made in the 

same style as the Dachshund dress.

This skirt is SO cute!

Then a 30 minute drive away I found these.

This pink jumper.

And this cute PJ set and slippers.

As if that was not enough...

THEN!

 Just guess who I found?

An 18"  Madame Alexander 

1977 Pussycat Doll.

She is very clean and her crier works!

I washed her hair, just so I could style it.

I put rollers in her bangs, but

I might have saved myself the trouble.

They didn't curl.

The clothes are all washed and ironed.

want to see how they look now?

Here

They

Are!

I added a collar, sleeves and pocket to the

Dachshund dress.

I used this reproduction 1930s style fabric.

Nice pose Joan!

This skirt is very cute, but it needs

something...

It reminds me of my Mom's square-dance

dresses.  I used to wear them for

dress-up as a girl.

Sally Ann likes the PJs.

She says they are very soft.

Joan is looking very pretty in the grey floral.

I added this little sweater since 

it's getting cool here.

AND

HERE

IS

THE 

BABY!

She is very sweet!

Turns out the jumper fits her.

I think it needs a blouse underneath.

She is very sweet!  BUT, sadly I already

have a doll just like her and the doll room

rule is: "only one of any doll".

She is up for adoption!

Click below:

Adoption Link

A Wonderful Doll Friend

As Frequently happens in the doll world,
 I have made a friend who has delightedly
led me into collecting dolls I had no
notion that I would love SO much!

Janet and I first met when she commented 
on this blog in 2018!
It was my Christmas post for that year.

Christmas Post 2018

Not long after that, Janet first introduced me to 

Mary Hoyer dolls.

More about Mary Hoyer dolls

Soon after the Mary Hoyer dolls,

 Janet suggested I might enjoy

 Little Miss Revlon dolls and her friends.

I did a quick search and found...

This sad Little Miss Revlon.

Even through all that dirt I could see potential.

I named her Julia and she was just the first!

Soon Amanda (American Character Toni)

 joined her friend Julia.

Soon after their arrival the girls got

their own Townhouse.

AND a wood doll camper!

Wood Doll Camper

The twins, John and Chris (Uneeda Bob doll)

came on the scene and started dating the girls.

Then Amanda's brother Tom (Vogue Jeff)

Arrived.

Then Lauren and lastly...

Ideal Crown Princess Viola.

Well, as most of you know, I have spent a LOT of time

with the Little Miss Revlon dolls and friends.

Here are just a few of their adventures.

Tom Meets Lauren

An Engagement!

A Winter Wedding

Going to Utah!

Janet not only introduced me to 

Little Miss Revlon dolls, 

but, years earlier, started the

Little Miss Revlon and Friends online 

doll club. Click the link to find out more!

Little Miss Revlon and Friends

Awhile back, Janet and I collaborated in fixing 

up and sharing with our doll club members 

some boyfriend dolls. These

dolls are pretty easy to find, but

frequently need some TLC.

I collected a few boys and refreshed them.

Then I sewed them some outfits.

Uneeds Bob 

Before and After

Vogue Jeff

Before and After

All together we fixed up four boy dolls to

share with our club members!

These gentlemen were a great hit.

As a "Thank You" to me Janet surprised me

with some of her doll outfits!!

Janet is one of those amazing people who

knits equisite small doll outfits!

First Janet sent this beautiful purple knit 

sheath dress for Lauren. 

Look at this tiny knit dress! 

So amazing!

 Janet made these outfits for my

Crown Princess doll Viola including

a matching hat and purse.

Janet said that with a name like Viola, 

she needed some lavender outfits.

Just look at these tiny knitted

tops and dresses!

Janet also sent me this 

beautiful nightgown

Last but not least, Janet made this

lovely hankie pillow for

Viola.

Janet has been a great friend to me,

even though we have never met in person!

(She lives out East and I live in the West)

I have learned so much from all my

online doll friends, but I owe a

special thank you to my dear friend 

JANET.