New Release: Skipper Doll and Pet
I was browsing Amazon.com the other day and noticed this new Skipper– Skipper Doll and Pet. Love the unique, inventive name, Mattel. It will really help in selling this girl. (Sidenote: I miss the days when you could easily identify a doll by the line’s name and look. Any Skipper collector could tell you the difference between Totally Hair Skipper and Teen Time Skipper, but naming the dolls put out in the past few years by line or look– for me– would be tough!)
Below are two promo pictures of Skipper. My opinion based on these images? I like her. I’m not over the moon excited about the release (because, really, do we need another dog?), but I’m not terribly disappointed.
Skipper comes with a pet, a little Pug, hence the ‘Skipper Doll and Pet’ name. She is dressed in the traditional ’sporty’ top she’s been wearing since her inception and a jean skirt. Surprisingly, I like the jean skirt. It breaks up the monotony of her past looks a bit.
If Mattel uses the same body as in the promo images for the shelf doll, then it looks like we have another doll with arms molded in awkward postions, a huge pet peeve of mine. I can only hope that Mattel uses a different body, so poor Skippers left arm isn’t stuck in the bent position.
The top pictures shows Skipper with blue highlights and the picture just above here has purple. Until she is released, we won’t know what color highlight she really has! From the promo images, I can’t complain about her make up or face mold. While there doesn’t seem to be a drastic change to past releases, I like the styling on this girl.
Will the actual doll look like these promo shots? Who knows. I’ll be sure to let you know once I add her to my collection! In the meantime, why not voice your opinion on this new release in the comment area!
Walking the Toy Aisle: Barbie: A Perfect Christmas Gift Set
I recently saw this gift set in my local Target and just had to snap a few photos. As you know, I’m a Skipper collector, so any new doll makes me happy. This musical set includes Barbie, Skipper, Stacie, and Kelly, er, Chelsea. They are decked out in their holiday best in outfits that mimic those worn in the new Barbie movie “Barbie: A Perfect Christmas”.
As far as the quality of these dolls, I can’t complain. They look nicer than most of the basics I’ve seen recently and in terms of holiday dolls, they’re the best I’ve seen in years. The base the girls stand on is musical and allows the sisters to sing ‘Deck the Halls’ in various harmonies.
Now, getting down the the nitty gritty– the Skipper doll! Let me disclaimer this really quickly. This next statement might be my imagination. I won’t know for sure until I get my hands on this gift set, but it looks to me like Skippers head mold is getting more inflated (ie: like Barbie’s round, balloon like head mold). I really hope that they keep Skippers head mold as is and don’t begin ‘tweaking’ it.
Again, Mattel has decided to use a body type where her arm is permanently bent, identical to the 2011 Skipper that came with the bathroom play set. Personally, I’d take a body with two straight arms over this mold any day, but alas, Mattel seems to like it.
I love that they switched up the hair do for this Skipper, loosing the side bang for a more ‘dressy’ style. As a mater of preference, I do prefer bangs on her, but as I mentioned earlier on the blog, the 2010/2011 Skipper’s have been a bit redundant. This is a welcome change! I forgot to look at the highlight in her hair, so I’m not sure of what color it is. It looks red in my close up shot, but I will have to confirm that when I see this set again.
I am not a fan of her outfit. Of all four sisters, Skipper was given the worst dress. In my opinion, this is the worst outfit they’ve released Skipper in so far this year. Skipper could have rocked a more trendy outfit– maybe something that didn’t include neon green/florescent yellow plaid!
What do you think of the set? Do you think Skippers head is more inflated in this version than in the past 2011 releases? Share your thoughts in the comment area!
The Kane County Doll and Toy Show– My Goodies!
This weekend was the Kane County Doll and Toy Show. This event is at the Kane Country Fairgrounds and is held 2 to 3 times a year. Hundreds of vendors bring in their wares to tempt us crazy, impulsive doll and toy collectors. All in all, this weekend, I think my mom and I did really well. Want to see what I got my hands on????
Madame Alexander Lucy Bride (1948):
The person who sold this adorable 17″ Lucy Bride to me is a Madame Alexander collector herself. Her prices were fantastic and were perfect for people like me who are just starting to walk the path of vintage Madame Alexander collecting. She was knowledgable about the doll, pointing out what was and wasn’t original and seemed to genuinely want to have the doll go to a good home, as opposed to just wanting money in her pocket.
Skipper Bunk Bed Set:
For a few years now, I’ve had a backdrop of Skippers bedroom that originally went with this bunk bed set. Finally, I have the bunk beds to go with it! My mom spotted this at a great price. Again, the owner seemed really appreciative that the set was going to a collector who would love it (like me!). It’s missing the foam inserts and a pillow case, but everything else is great!
Also picked up at the show was a redressed Blonde Kevin doll and a MIB Cool Tops Brunette Kevin.
All in all, I love the items I picked up this weekend. I can’t wait to do it again (though my pocket book might recommend waiting!).
Oh, Mattel… What’s Up With Skipper?
As many of you know, I collect Skipper dolls. Skipper, Barbie’s little sister, has been around almost as long as Barbie. She’s had quite a few face lifts over the years. Take a peek at most of them below… (As always, photos are mine and are not to be used by others without permission. You can fave them on flickr if you’d like to reference them.)
I was super excited when Mattel brought out the 2010 Camping Skipper. Blonde with funky highlights, she was an adorable re-introduction to Barbie’s Little Sister.
Now a year into the new Skipper line and I’m slightly less enthusiastic about the line. The brunette Skippers have a slightly different head mold than the original 2010 release. The most noticeable differences are that the original release has an open mouth smile, side glancing eyes, and blonde hair with brown and pink highlights. The new mold, which has been used on the past five releases, has a closed mouth smile, a straight gaze, and brown hair with purple or pink highlights.
As far as hair color, I love the brown. I’ve always been partial to brunette dolls, probably because I, myself, am brunette! I take issue with the fact that if you look at the current Skippers together, they all look the same. Their make up and hair are the same across the board and the outfits are pretty similar doll to doll. Take a look at the picture for a moment.
Do you see what I mean? They’re all very similar looking. While I understand it’s cheaper for companies to re-dress the same factory face/body, I really wish they would change the make up or hair styling a little. It was rare to see the 90′s anime eye (or big eyed) Skipper in the same hair style twice in a row and she had a great deal of make up changes during her time on store shelves, so why can’t we get some with this new line of dolls?
While I will still continue to buy these new Skippers (b/c I wouldn’t be a collector if I didn’t!), I really hope Mattel breaks the current cycle. I love the facemold–it’s adorable–, but let’s give it a refresh! (And yes, I will be telling Mattel this via e-mail… Sometimes they need to know the consumers opinions!) :-)
Leave a comment and let me know what you think? Am I just being too picky about this? Do you see the similarities between the line? Does it bother you? Let me know!
Like this:
Splurge Alert!!!– Skipper Stuff
I try to add a few things each year to my Skipper collection. So far, this year has brought some fun finds! Here’s the lowdown on the new items in my Skipper collection!
Dolls:
This past toy show, I picked up this stunning Twist and Turn Skipper. Believe it or not, this is my first Twist and Turn Skipper, though it’s not from lack of trying.
There were other Twist and Turns at the show, but this one had such a great face. Her make up is fantastic, she has no green area’s, and she isn’t missing any lashes. I need to do something about her fly-aways, but overall, I love this doll!
She came with this outfit, which is another reason I picked up this girl. I’m lacking on vintage outfits and wouldn’t have had anything for an unclothed doll to wear!
Extras:
I don’t just collect Skipper dolls, but also the extra’s that go with them. I picked up this great Skipper, Francie, and Barbie doll case via ebay earlier this month. It was a steal. I’m quite surprised I got it as cheap as I did! The condition is fine for my needs, as I only really keep these for the art, which is fantastic on this case!
What do I love about this case? First, I LOVE the outfit Skipper is wearing. I don’t own the outfit yet, but I will one day!!!
Second, I quite like that it has both Barbie and Francie on it. I love the cases that have more than one character. Francie’s look is just too cute and Barbie’s sophisticated Bob is adorable!
Alongside these, I also picked up a new style Skipper, but I’m saving her photos for a review post! Check back for updates! More to come!!!
Dolly Report: New Skipper Sets
Back in 2003, Barbie’s original sister Skipper was discontinued. I believe the official statement said something about her attending ‘boarding school’. This post is dedicated to the new line of Skipper dolls that have started popping up since 2010!
Camping Skipper: Debuting in 2010, Camping Skipper is such a cutie. She has side-glancing blue eyes, blonde hair with pink highlights, and is dressed in a long purple shirt, silver belt, and shiny capri jeans. Skipper has molded elbows and knees, and is slightly shorter than Barbie.
(Long shot borrowed from Amazon.com)
I love the side-glancing eyes on this Skipper and her outfit really is rocking! I would wear it! As far as Skippers go, I love that Mattel decided to introduce Skipper as a pre-teen/tween, instead of her 2003 older teen self.
Sisters Skateboard Set with Skipper and Kelly (oops, Chelsea!): This set includes two dolls, Skipper and Kelly. Kelly comes with a scooter and helmet, while Skipper comes with a skateboard, helmet, and Ipod/headphones . What is unique to these new 2010 Skippers is that they are brunette! (Early prototypes and even the illustrations on box show a blonde Skipper.) The only thing I miss is the side-glancing eyes ‘Camping Skipper’ had– these look straight ahead.
(Long shot borrowed from Amazon.com)
A user photo of the Skipper doll… I quite like the brunette on Skipper.
Beauty Fun Bathroom Set: This set includes Skipper in her nightgown, along with a bathroom mirror and sink set. While prototype images show this doll as a blonde, she comes only with Brunette hair, this time with purple highlights.
I love the layout of the furniture and cardboard cut-outs of Stacie and Kelly (oops– Chelsea)!
Apologies for the crummy pictures! I haven’t opened this set yet, because I don’t have space to display it! (I know, that doll room needs to come pronto!) However, this Skipper doesn’t disappoint! I really do like the head mold they are using on these dolls. It’s not ‘inflated’ like the current Barbie line and fits really well with the pre-teen/tween body mold!
I’ll keep you posted on any new Skippers I see on store shelves and of course, if you see one, let me know!!!!! Follow the blog via e-mail subscriptions for up to the second updates! Thanks for hopping by!
“Skipper – Barbie Doll’s Little Sister” is Here!
After too many years of inflated(outrageous, completely ridiculous) prices on the only Skipper doll price guide around, we finally have a second edition! Released September 29th and now out of stock on Amazon.com (!!!), the 2nd edition of ‘Skipper- Barbie Doll’s Little Sister’ is here! Put together by Trina Cottingham, Scott Arend, and Karla Hemingway, this book is roughly 250 pages long and looks to have a ton of information!
Here’s a quick blurb from Amazon about ‘Skipper- Barbie Doll’s Little Sister’.
“This long-awaited second edition of Skipper – Barbie Doll’s Little Sister features 16 additional pages of never-before-seen items including rare dolls, prototypes, and gift sets, and a new, updated price guide. Included are U.S. and foreign market Skipper dolls and friends, their clothing, licensed products, and gift sets manufactured from 1964 through 1978, the last year the first face mold was used. An entire chapter features all domestic and foreign issues of Skipper doll’s tiny twin brother and sister, Tutti and Todd, spanning their production years from 1967 through 1980.”
I really wish they would have gone into the 80′s/90′s Skipper lines, but for some reason, they were ignored.
Check back for a more detailed review of the book when I finally get my hands on it!!! Have you read it? What did you think?
My Newest Re-Root
Here’s some pictures of my newest Skipper re-root! She originally came to me via Ebay with pretty blonde hair. She looked like every other Skipper from the 80′s. So, I decided, why not cut her hair off and give her a fun new color— like florescent pink?
The pink color is actually *very* similar to the color Kimber (Jem and the Holograms) is rooted with. Because I was running pretty low on pink toward the end, I gave her some blue and glow in the dark highlights.
Overall, I really like this color on Skipper. This Skipper is wearing the outfit I puchased her in, which actually goes fantastically with her new look.
Have you re-rooted something recently? Share it in the comment area! Have any questions about this Skipper? Ask away!
Oops, My Bad! Or Drat That Ebay!
Ebay and me have a love hate relationship, or should I say my bank account and Ebay… I did a bit of Ebay shopping this week and have a couple new dolls coming into the house. I thought, why not share? 
I picked up a Mini Pullip named Assa, who from promo pictures looks adorable. I’m not a huge Pullip person, but have a few. My collection includes the SDCC Exclusive Lala and a Taeyang dressed in samari garb. I renamed him Sokka, and don’t remember his default name at the moment. I picked up a Mini Pullip of Alice from Alice in Wonderland at SDCC last year. Assa, who’s name will change eventually, will be my second Mini Pullip. I’m excited about her.
Mini Pullips may not be able to pose well, but are cute to display and are quite photogenic. 
Expect photos on my Flickr when she arrives!
No picture for this, but do you remember The Babysitters Club series? Remember the doll lines- one barbie sized and one taller type? Being a product of the 80′s I own a few of the barbie sized BSC figures, but never got any of the tall ones… Well, I found a tall (16″) Babysitters Club Kristy doll on ebay MIB for 10 bucks plus shipping and decided, why not pick her up and give her a home. When Kristy arrives, I’ll post some pictures. I’m actually quite excited about her!
One sad bit of news is that this awesome Skipper backdrop that came with the vintage Skipper and Skooter Bedroom playset I won recently on Ebay is never going to arrive, or at least, not soon. The seller lost the backdrop. *sigh* My fingers are crossed that s/he finds it and keeps his/her promise to give me the option to purchase it again. Would have been neat for photos, but alas… Keep your fingers crossed!
Richard Simmons on The Bonnie Hunt Show Talks Dolls
To be honest, I’m not sure what dolly related post to write tonight. Ideas are floating around my head but nothing seems right. So, let’s get onto the topic that won the night…
Did anyone watch Bonnie Hunt today? So, a young reality starlet recently had ten plastic surgeries to make herself more like Barbie. Ridiculous, especially because the reality girl is under 25, still growing into her body.
Anyway, Bonnie pulls out a cardboard fold out display. In the middle is the girls new face, to the right is her old face, and to the left is a close up of a vintage Skipper doll. Bonnie keeps referring to the picture of Skipper as Barbie. The Skipper collector in me is correcting her every time she refers to Skipper as Barbie.
Tuesdays show had Richard Simmons on, which is where I found out that Richard is a huge doll collector (and designer)– he said there are 600 dolls on the first floor of his house. E gads! Because The Bonnie Hunt Show tapes two episodes a day, Richard was still in the studio watching the taping for the Wednesday (todays) show.
So, Bonnie goes to commercial on the Wednesday show after showing this chart and when she comes back, she has her phone in her hand and explains she got a text from Richard Simmons saying, “That’s not Barbie, it’s SKIPPER”. Ha Ha Ha!!! It had me laughing. Totally what I would have said if my friend had made that mistake.
If I find video, I’ll be posting it for all to enjoy. Gotta love doll humor…
