Fisher Price Friday - Merry Christmas

Hoping that you have a Merry "little" Christmas. :)  

2016 (Little People Farm #915)

2015 (Snowmobile #705)

2014 (Play Family A-Frame #909)

2013 (Play Family House #952)

2012 (Play Family Rooms #909)

To get your own Fisher Price Card check out my Etsy Shop.

Sewing Christmas Presents - Not "sew" simple :)

I continue to attempt sewing projects here and there; but am very much still a beginner.  This summer I struggled through making my youngest an easy "20 minute" rubber ducky skirt that actually took hours.  And although it photographed well at her birthday party it was a hot mess if you looked closely. ;) 

Fortunately I have a friend who was willing to help me fix it and she ripped it all apart and I started over again but with step-by-step instructions.

That skirt repair went so well that I decided to try making another skirt, this one with some 1960s fabric that I brought home from my parent's house awhile back.  This distinctive 60s floral fabric was used in bridesmaid dresses back in 1970.  

Check out those lovely dresses; all sewn by hand. 

The skirt turned out pretty fantastic if I do say so myself.  Thanks to my friend's patient instruction and assistance. :)  The pink band is made out of vintage linen fabric.  I made the skirt as a Christmas present for my 10 year old and decided to whip up a doll sized skirt to add to her gift.  She is going to freak!

Not to leave my 6 year old out I made her a ducky skirt to match the previously-hot-mess birthday skirt.  

My Friend doll Mandy looks pretty cute doesn't she?  And it matches her roller skating outfit. 

Is it Christmas yet? :) Only 2 more days until we open presents on the 23rd.  Woot woot!

Christmas Sneak Peak (Fisher Price)

It's beginning to look like Christmas around here!  We've got all five trees up and lights decorating outside.  The kids are making wish-lists and I'm hiding away purchases to wrap for them later. :)

I wanted to give you a sneak peak of the Vintage Fisher Price that will be under the tree this year!  This year I'm giving my youngest (age six) yet another My Friend Doll.  This is the *last* one though as 4 is plenty!  She's been getting one doll the last couple years on her Birthday and Christmas, so it's bittersweet for me that this is the last one.  She is pretty sure she doesn't want the boy My Friend Doll by the way, which is why it won't be 5!

I have been able to purchase all 4 of the My Friend Dolls new in box, which I think is pretty amazing since they are 30-40+ years old!  This last one I found months ago and have been hiding it up in the closet.

 

She is My Friend Becky #218 made between 1980-1984.  She has beautiful ginger hair and freckles.  Cutest! She comes with a white hat, aqua dress and white shoes. 

I've also been looking for more My Friend Doll clothes.  Mostly used but I've found a few new in package too.  A-mazing.  Since she has 4 of these cuties to dress now I have duplicates of some outfits so that they can match. I accidentally bought too many of the "Winter Wear" outfits so if you need one check out my Etsy shop, I'll have one there soon. 

I'm most excited about this nightgown/robe/slippers set.  I found two new in package for her!

I can't wait to wrap these up and put them under the tree.  I know she'll be super excited on our Christmas Present opening day (never the 25th....always a few days before). 

For more on our Fisher Price Dolls:

#209 My Friend Jenny

#204 Baby Ann (a soft doll) 

#206 My Friend Nicky  

#4009 Special Birthday Mandy  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  I've made Little People Thanksgiving pictures for 5 years now and I ran out of ideas!  Good thing this is the last year of the blog!  But seriously I've done the First Thanksgiving with Indigenous People and Pilgrims (a few times), Family Flag Football games and even a modern family dinner.  What else is there people?  Hmm, maybe a parade?  Shoot, that would have been cute.  Oh well.  Instead I have more Pilgrims and Indigenous People.  You're welcome.

I hope your Thanksgiving was pie-tastic!

For more Little People Turkey-day fun check out:

Turkey Dinner 2016

Pilgrims 2015

First Thanksgiving 2014

Family Flag Football 2013

First Thanksgiving 2012

Happy Halloween from My Friends :)

My friends wanted to wish you a Happy Halloween!  Ha, sorry couldn't resist.  These Fisher Price My Friend Dolls do have costumes though and are ready to Trick-or-Treat.
And one more from our Vintage Fisher Price Little People. 

For past Halloween Fun check out:

2016 - Halloween 2015 - Little People Costumes

2014 - Puzzle Puppy Trick-or-Treat

2013 - Little People Pumpkin Patch

2012 - Little People Trick-or-Treat

Fisher Price Friday - Chatter Telephone Wireless Speaker

Does this look familiar?  The Chatter Telephone #747 you say?  

Look closer. 

What's that switch on the back?  Why yes, it's an On and Off switch!  This isn't just any Chatter Phone, it's a Wireless Speaker (bluetooth) Phone.  

It looks so much like the original phone (on the right) but is a little more boxy, larger and doesn't move or make clicking sounds.  Instead it plays the music of your choice via your Smartphone or other bluetooth playing device.  So cool.

I pair it with my iPhone to play music in the playroom when I'm hanging out with my girls.  Doesn't it fit right in on the top of our shelving? :)  

They also make a Record Player version but I thought the Chatter Phone was cuter (and smaller).  These players are not that easy to find unfortunately, and as of yet have not been carried widely.  I found my Chatter Phone with a Groupon.  I have seen them on other daily deal sites as well as Cracker Barrel stores.  They run about $30.

It's a super fun addition to our little Fisher Price collection and Christmas is coming so keep a look out to get one of your own!

My Friend Doll Beauty Salon (Hair Repair)

We're big fans of the Fisher Price My Friend Dolls from the 1970-1980s.  I have been able to purchase brand new in box dolls for my youngest and she currently has 3 of the 5 made.  As I've said before my youngest (currently age 6) doesn't quite grasp that these are really old dolls!  Especially since they come to her brand new.  She doesn't understand that they've been sitting in a closet somewhere waiting to be loved for 30+ years.  She thinks I buy them at Target, ha!

When she discovered that a friend of hers had a Mandy doll too (her mom's) she was very excited.  We set up a playdate so the girls could get the dolls (and all their clothes) together!  The morning before our get-together her mom told me that Mandy needed some hair TLC stat.  They'd tried to condition it once before but it was still pretty tangled and damaged.  

I love a challenge so in the few hours before I got the girls I gave Mandy a deep conditioning treatment and it turned out pretty well.  

Check out these before and afters.  Not too shabby!  And now a comb can go through all of the hair.  I think another longer (overnight) treatment might work on those ends a little more.

Here's what you will need: Wide tooth comb, regular comb, bowl, fabric softener, washcloth and some patience. :)

1. Put a couple cap fulls of fabric softener in a bowl.  Not too much because you don't want to waste it.  Then put the doll's hair in the bowl and slowly work the fabric softener through all of the hair.  Take time to get it into the tangles or any knots.

2. After the hair is coated, carefully place the doll aside on a washcloth and leave her alone for between 1hr and overnight depending on damage level.  Due to time constraints Mandy had the softener on her hair for about 2 hrs.

3. Slowly and carefully comb through the doll's hair, starting with the wide side of a comb.  Gently work through the tangles until you can get the comb all the way through.  Then move to the small side of the comb and do the same.

4. Rinse, rinse, rinse.  Carefully comb through the hair while it is under running water until you can feel that the hair is rinsed.  Leaving fabric conditioner on the hair long term can damage it.  

5. Lightly towel dry the hair (press don't rub) and comb through it again. Allow to air dry, don't use a dryer!

All set!  Does she look amazing?

My daughter's friend was super excited to see that her Mandy had softer and more manageable hair.  Not perfect but MUCH better.  Hooray!

All ready for a play-date!  Note by the way that both blond dolls are "Mandy".  The far left is the last 1980s version and the visiting Mandy was one of the first editions. (for reference the other two dolls are Jenny and Nicky)

For more information on her Fisher Price Dolls

#204 Baby Ann (a soft doll) 

#206 My Friend Nicky  

#4009 Special Birthday Mandy  

#209 My Friend Jenny

Fisher Price Friday - NEW Hallmark Ornaments for 2017!

It may still be summer but I'm already thinking about Christmas!  I'm in the mood after discovering these adorable little Vintage Fisher Price toy ornaments.

I was surprised to learn that Hallmark is once again making Fisher Price ornaments.  They previously made a total of 14 Fisher Price ornaments between 2007-2012 but then abruptly stopped.  So what a surprise to see them reappear again after 5 years.   

Other Fisher Price themed ornaments have been made by companies like Dept 56 and Basic Fun.  However these versions (especially Dept 56) pale in comparison.  The main difference being that Dept 56 ornaments are clunky, heavy and made of non-moving resin.  Hallmark on the other hand made intricate, delicate plastic ornaments often with moving or musical parts (many battery operated).

The Hallmark ornaments quickly became collectible, with some versions costing over $100 on reselling sites.

Now back to this year.  Hallmark introduced two FP toys, the Pull a Tune Xylophone and the Chatter Phone.  Interestingly Hallmark previously made a Chatter Telephone, and it is one of the more expensive ornaments on the resale market.

The new version is called the Tiny Chatter Telephone.  This is very accurate as this dear little ornament is TINY.  It is by far the smallest chatter telephone I've ever seen!  Much smaller than the World's Smallest Fisher Price version.  It is so small in fact that it is a perfect size for a Fisher Price Little People figure to play with.  

It may be tiny but it is intricate and a fantastic replica and retails for only $7.95.

Now lets compare it to the original 2009 version.  As you can see the original version (on the left) is MUCH bigger.  The 2009 chatter phone has movement features including a dial that turns and wheels that roll.  They both have cords and tiny replica lithographs.

And for fun, here all all of my Chatter Phone ornaments as well as the World's Smallest Fisher Price Chatter Phone.  Which is your favorite?

Next up is the 2017 Pull a Tune Xylophone which retails for $15.95.  Hallmark did not make an xylophone ornament before, so this is a first.  The only other company that also made an xylophone is Dept 56 so I'll compare it to those.

First the Hallmark version (top photo).  It is made of plastic and has a mallet attached to a golden string.  The mallet snaps into one end of the ornament.  The keys are made of metal and make the smallest of sounds when struck just so.  

The Dept 56 xylophones on the other had are made of resin and have no movement.  However, the latest version (from 2016) does have the cute addition of looking like a sled.  All three versions have mallets connected by string, ribbon or plastic cord.

Of the two released this year my favorite is the oh-so-tiny chatter telephone.  It is just too cute!  I look forward to seeing if more Fisher Price ornaments come out next summer.

To purchase your own ornaments:

For more information on past Hallmark Fisher Price Ornaments: 

2007 - See 'N Say 
2008 - Play Family Farm 
2008 - View-Master 
2009 - School Bus 
2009 - Chatter Telephone 
2010 - Play Family Fun Jet 
2010 - Zookeeper Says 
2010 - Play Family School 
2011 - Music Box Teaching Clock 
2011 - Play Family House 
2011 - Little People Lil' Movers Fire Truck (not a vintage toy) 
2011 - Snoop 'N Sniff - Limited quantity 
2012 - Corn Popper 
2012 - Two Tune TV

Fisher Price Friday - My Friend Jenny

My youngest turned 6 last month (sigh) and desperately wanted another My Friend Doll.  She already has 2 and was hopeful to add the last 2 (girls) to her collection.  I did some eBay stalking and found the last two (Jenny and Becky) over the summer.  I packaged up Jenny for her birthday and stashed Becky away for Christmas. 

My daughter had the biggest grin when she opened up her birthday present, which makes it all worth it!!  Now about this 30+ year old doll. :)  My Friend Jenny #209 made between 1984-1985.  She is decked out in aerobics clothes which followed the fitness craze of the 1980s  At least she isn't wearing a high cut leotard! 👀

This version of Jenny is the 4th (and last) one produced.  First up was #201 Jenny 1974-76 which was pre-"My Friend".  The main difference with that first doll is that she had (thicker) cloth arms/legs while the rest of the Jenny's (including this one) have plastic arms/legs and a cloth torso.  #212 My Friend Jenny had a brown dress and a brown straw hat and was made between 1979-1981.  Next up was #217 My Friend Jenny from 1982-1983 wearing a yellow dress and a white hat.  Finally our version #209, who is quite the departure wearing workout clothing and no hat!

The My Friend Jenny box shows adorable photos of a lovely little girl playing with, washing and caring for her doll.  I am not sure if Jenny is meant to look Asian, but she does resemble the little girl!  All of the boxes and inserts for the My Friend dolls advertise that the dolls are machine washable and easy care.  I still have not braved washing any of our dolls in the machine....that seems risky to me. 

Jenny has a plastic head, arms, legs and feet.  Her torso is cloth and like the other dolls has a white flowered material on it.  Jenny has brown eyes and long dark brown hair with bangs. Her outfit includes a sweatshirt type top, skirt, tights, leg warmers, headband (removable), purse (removable) and sneakers.

A closer look at her tights shows that they are stirrups!  Oh how I remember stirrups from the 80s.  Good times.  The leg warmers (purple) are removable and knit.  The pink and white tennis shoes have molded laces and are marked R or L.  There was also an all pink tennis shoe version.  All of these pieces were exclusives to this set.

The cross body purse opens and you could place something tiny inside (like a dime).  My version is gold purse/gold strap but they also had a gold purse/silver strap, silver purse/silver strap and a silver purse/silver strap versions.  The headband is teal and purple fabric woven together.

Let's just say these sweet My Friend Dolls are well loved by my little girl.  I adore that she (on her own!) is so interested in these vintage dolls.  I had at least one doll as a child and it brings me joy to see her love them too.

For more information on her Fisher Price Dolls

#204 Baby Ann (a soft doll) 

#206 My Friend Nicky  

#4009 Special Birthday Mandy  

Fisher Price Friday - Little People Art Print

I spend a bit of time on Etsy both as a buyer and a seller.  Right now I only sell vintage toys (mostly Fisher Price) and I often find myself looking at FPLP items too.  That's how I found this delightful print.

The shop is called Mostly Little Art and it is full of delightful original paintings and prints for a reasonable price.

My print came quickly and well packaged.  It looks fantastic in our playroom.

To get your own print check out her shop Mostly Little Art.  

To check out my shop go to Vintage Little People. :)

*Note: The adorable white house shaped organizers were decorated for me and given as a birthday gift by my daughters and a dear friend.  

TOP SECRET: Fisher Price Birthday Present

Can you keep a secret?  My youngest is turning 6 next week and I wanted to share one of her birthday presents today since it's Fisher Price Friday.  On the top of her wish-list were the Fisher Price My Friend Dolls Jenny and Becky.  She already has Nicky and Mandy, presents for her last birthday and Christmas.

She's in love with these little girl dolls and has NO idea that they're from the 1980s.  In fact when she requested Jenny (numerous times) she asked me to go to Target to look for her.

So we did. ;)  We went to Target this week but she wasn't there!  She then asked where I bought the other two dolls and I told her the Internet, ha!

But she need not worry, I already had Jenny wrapped up and ready to go.  I also found a Becky but she'll be hidden until Christmas.

Jenny is new-in-box, not an easy feat for a 1984 doll!  But here she is in her aerobics outfit glory (including leg warmers!!).

I'll be back with more details after the birthday girl opens her up.

I've also found some more My Friend Doll clothes to give her, a few odds and ends that I found on eBay.  My mom got her an almost complete ballet outfit (#228 Ballerina Outfit).  She'll be thrilled.

Here is her current collection of #204 Baby Ann (a soft doll), #206 Nicky and #4009 Special Birthday Mandy.  She's excited to have one more doll to love. :)

So stay tuned and Shhhh, don't tell!

Vintage Fisher Price + Shopkins + Trolls = Creative Play

My kids are pretty organized in their play, using one type of toy at a time.  Perhaps they get that from their mom...I may be a *tiny* bit OCD. ;)  

So I was surprised and a bit delighted to find them playing with different toy types recently.  I'd find Trolls in the Play Family Castle #993 and Shopkins in the Play Family House #952.  

Then last week after we pulled out the Lift & Load Railroad #943 I found that my little one added her Shopkins to the party.  

Love. It.

How do your kids add the 1970/80s to the 2010's? :)

Fisher Price Friday - Lift and Load Railroad

Today I have a new (old) set to share with you, the Fisher Price Lift & Load Railroad #943.  Made between 1978-1979 this was the second of the Lift & Load sets produced.  The #942 Lift & Load Depot was first produced from 1977-1979.  The third set in the series was the Lift & Load Lumber Yard #944 from 1979-1981.

This is the final of the three sets that we added to our collection.  I bought it as a Christmas gift for my youngest and it is a perfect addition to the other two!  But more on that in a bit.

The Lift & Load Railroad came with quite a few pieces (24), many of them exclusives to the set.  The set came with a total of 7 track pieces; 4 curved pieces and 3 short straight tracks.  

The base looks similar to the Lift & Load Depot but has the addition of a built in track.  It also included a crane that moves side to side, a platform that tilts up to load cargo, a removable orange ramp and a "cage" that moves by a crank.  

The accessories that came with the set included 3 little people figures, a train engine, flat car, green forklift, ramp, 7 pieces of cargo and a cage.  I've read conflicting reports on whether there were variations to any of the pieces, one source said no and the other said the crates could be brown or tan (as shown).  

The little people construction figures included the two tall ones shown above and a third that looks just like the small guy but is regular height.  I looked EVERYWHERE but couldn't find him in our playroom this morning.  I'm sure he'll appear once I post this entry. :)

We have quite the pile of people (this isn't even all of them) but I didn't see him.  Do you? 😆

The set came with 8 pieces of cargo: 4 light orange shipping pallets, 2 black oil drums and 2 grey crates with wood slats molded into the side.  All of the cargo pieces are made of plastic.  The orange pallets were exclusive to this set, three different sets used brown pallet versions. 

The coolest and most exclusive piece is the train engine.  It is a wind up train that has an on/off switch.  The engine can go around the track up to 4 times according to what I've read, but I've experienced more like 2-3x.  The problem with these engines is that it's hard to find one that actually works!  It took 4 tries (!!!) to get one that wasn't overwound.  

The train can also be pushed manually by a child but that's not quite as fun as watching it go on its own. 

Our train makes a...high pitched sound but I like to think it makes it more authentic.  Check out my video to see what I mean.  Does your train sound like this too?

These are almost 40 year old toys and through the years overly enthusiastic children have broken the windings which from what I can tell are unable to be fixed.  If you know how to fix the engine I recommend posting a how-to video on youtube for the rest of us. 

Now for a closer look.  The orange ramp is an exclusive, not to be confused with a similar yellow ramp that came with the #944 Lift & Load Lumber Yard.  It is removable and helps the forklift get onto the deck for easy loading/unloading.

The train flat car has a yellow base that lifts up.  The flat car can load here where the forklift is or inside the tunnel from the cage.

Here you can see the orange cage in action.  The cage moves back and forth with the orange crank.  

The cage is a set exclusive and although it looks similar to the yellow cage from the Lift & Load Depot they are actually quite different.

This orange cage is removable and attaches to an orange plastic ball.

One end of the tunnel/base piece has a orange platform that tilts up to help unload.  

Although the set is fun on it's own it is even more fun with our other Lift & Load sets.  I keep them organized (sort of) in a big basket in the playroom.

Doesn't that look fun?!  Now if I could just find that missing construction worker.....

Lift & Load Lumber Yard #944
Lift & Load Depot #942
Dump Truck #342

For more Trains check out:

Magnetic Chug-Chug Train #168

Little People Express Train #2581

Play Family Circus Train #991

Smokie #642

Toot-Toot #643
Huffy Puffy #999