TBT - Throw Waaaayyyyy Back Christmas 1971

As you can see I have always loved toys and dolls. Effanbee doll in red. Fisher Price school house. Still one present to go....clutched in my hand.

Bozo the clown and Mrs. Beasley!
*Note the gun in my hand LOL

LADL Closing Out the Year

This year has been CRAZY! I went through the difficult and tedious task of downsizing. I decided to keep only five dolls. And because it was too difficult for me to make the cuts myself, I let Pleasant Company choose for me. I had my mind on keeping the original trinity, but decided to keep both Felicity and Addy too.

In 1986, Pleasant T. Rowland, a former educator founded Pleasant Company which is headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin.



1986 Molly McIntire, Kirsten Larson and Samantha Parkington were the three original American Girls that launched the collection. These dolls had a white bodies. 1991 when Felicity Merriman was released, the bodies were changed from white to match skin color. 
Credit: AGwiki


All of my other dolls have found new homes. Most were sold, but a small portion were donated. Fortunately for me, I will always have memories and photos of my dolls right here on LADL.

LADL will continue to have a presence on AGIG and YouTube from time to time. LADL facebook is no longer, but the blog will remain as a time capsule, so please feel free to start from the beginning 2012 and read through five years of posts (whenever you have free time) by selecting on NEWER POST at the lower left of the page.

Do not forget the right side bar and top page tabs for quick reference searches. If you're on a mobile device, the right side bar can be accessed by selecting VIEW WEB VERSION.

AG Minis of Snickerdoodle Street will remain online too.

Thank you to LADL readers in the USA and around the globe in 37 countries! 

Canada, UK, Russia, Brazil, Philippines, Australia, Germany, Spain, France, Japan, Netherlands, Costa Rica, Vietnam, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Romania, Argentina, Ukraine, Colombia, Finland, Portugal, Hungary, Venezuela, Italy, Poland, New Zealand, Moldova, Czech Republic, Mexico, Turkey, South Korea, Israel, Norway, South Africa, Greece, Belgium and China!

Special thanks go to the LADL team:
Madelon, Ticia, Diana, Linda, Renee, and Robin - I couldn't have done it without these ladies!!

Thank you to:
Shosy, Shelly, Sheryl, Maxine, Fawn, Nonna, Claudia, Rina, Char, Frances and A Girl for All Time, Boy Story, Maru and Friends, Dolls from Heaven, Maria, Michelle, Vanessa, Heather, KKollect, ZaZa, Mr. Modelnut, Jen, Felicia, Cindy R., Cindy Y, Leigh, Blake, Linda D., Karen, Feedspot, FOX News, Jezebel online,  

To all of my friends in the doll community all over the world, thank you for stopping by each day. Thank you for an AMAZING FIVE YEARS! I love you all.

God bless you,

Rhonda

*ROOM TOUR* Molly McIntire's Collection

Molly McIntire (1944): Archived in 2013. She lives in Illinois during World War II, while her father is serving in England as a doctor, and her books are largely about adapting to the changes brought on by war. Her family's English ward, Emily Bennett, was released as a Best Friend doll in '06.

Furniture: 
Kitchen Table & Chairs
Vanity Table
 Scenes & Settings
Nurse Katherine
 Birthday Set
Original Red Bed
Nightstand

DIY Projects:
Plaid Suitcase and Radio
 Stage
Theater Seats
 
I have the following outfits:
Meet Outfit
Meet Accessories
School Outfit
Book Bag
Birthday Pinafore
Patriotic Tap Outfit 
 Polka Dot Outift
Halloween Costume
Raincoat and boots
Striped Pajamas
Anchor Robe
 Ice Skating Outfit
 Victory Garden Dress (Reproduction)
Dude Ranch Outfit (Reproduction)
  Holiday Dress
Camp Gowonagin Outfit

Molly is officially my favorite doll!

*ROOM TOUR* Samantha Parkington's Collection

Samantha Parkington (1904): One of the original three, she was archived in 2009 and rereleased in 2014. Marketed as Victorian Era despite 1904 being The Edwardian Era. She's a rich orphan being raised by her conservative grandmother in upstate New York. She learns about the women's suffrage movement and the horrors of child labor. She fights to change conditions for the poor, and aspires to become the first woman president. In 2004, her friend Nellie O'Malley was made into the first Best Friend doll to coincide with the release of Samantha's movie.

I have a few of the larger pieces from Samantha's collection.

Garden Gazebo

PC Wicker Table and Chairs

 PC Brass Bed and Bedding

Tyson's Ice Cream Parlor

PC Scenes & Settings

I kept my very first DIY loveseat.

I sold my darker haired Mattel Samantha, but kept my white body Samantha. I have a few of her outfits:

BF Flower Picking

BF Meet Outfit

BF Frilly Frock

 Spring Dress

Play Dress

Skating Dress

Plaid Winter Cape and Gaiters

Middy Outfit

BF Special Day Dress

 Tea Dress

BF Travel Coat, Hat and Bag

 Flannel School Dress Buster (Reproduction)

Nightgown

Holiday Dress 

*ROOM TOUR* Addy Walker's Collection

Addy Walker was the fifth Historical Character of the American Girls, representing the Civil War Era. Addy was released in Fall 1993 and is part of the BeForever collection. Her full name is Aduke, named after her great-grandmother on her father's side, which means "Much Loved". 

American Girl characterizes her as "courageous" and "strong". Featured video describes her as "Resilient". Addy was the first doll released with the African American face mold, hence the fan nickname of "Addy Mold." 

Addy's area takes up the right side of the shelf with Kirsten. I do not own much from Addy's world. Aside from clothing and her hair styling set, the only other thing I have, is her family quilt. She uses a Springfield rope bed.

Again a lot of Addy's old room items were DIY projects and thrifty finds.

I own these outfits:
Prototype meet outfit
BF Meet Outfit
Patriotic Party Dress
 Summer Dress and Hat
Nightgown
Birthday Dress

There are many PC outfits and accessory items I would love to have. They are rare and hard to find on the secondary market.

*ROOM TOUR* Kirsten Larson's Collection

Kirsten Larson (1854): One of the original three, archived in 2010. Swedish immigrant to Minnesota in Pioneer Times. The series focuses on the difficulties of adapting to a new life in harsh surroundings and features many staples of "frontier" stories, such as scary weather, a strict schoolmarm and a secret Native American friend.

 Currently Kirsten is sharing half of a shelf space with Addy
My Kirsten collection is small. A lot of what I had, were DIY projects. Both her bed/friendship quilt and the scenes and settings book found new homes.

All that is left is her trestle table and one chair. 

I have a few of Kirsten's outfits:
Summer Dress
Baking Outfit
Winter Skirt
Winter Skating Coat
Birthday Outfit
Sari Doll

I would love to have more of Kirsten's items, but they can be pricey on the secondary market.

*ROOM TOUR* Felicity Merriman's Collection

As LADL ends the year, I will be showcasing the Secret Doll House and show each doll space.

Felicity Merriman (1774): Archived in 2011, re released in 2017. Fiery Redhead, daughter of a merchant family in Virginia as The American Revolution approaches. Her series has a lot of plots focusing on the conflict of independence vs. loyalty to tradition. Her creation led to Pleasant Company completely remaking their dolls to have flesh tone bodies, as Felicity's period clothing featured plunging necklines. Eventually her friend Elizabeth Cole was made into a Best Friend doll in '05.

Felicity's area didn't change much because she has always lived in the secret doll house. The only thing I got rid of was a cabinet. Her DIY 4-poster bed and her DIY travel trunk remains. She has always used a Springfield Collection drop-leaf table and a Windsor chair. I also have her Tea treats.

Previously owned items:
 Baby Polly and Cradle
Scenes and Settings

I own these outfits:
Tea Lesson Gown
Holiday Dress
Red Cape
Green Riding Habit
 BF Accessories
BF Undergarments
BF Meet Dress
Spring Gown (without pinner)

My dream is to own Felicity's Colonial Carriage! 

I store Felicity's Clothing on hooks near her space. 

*Open Letter to LADL Readers*

I have received so many AMAZING emails from readers. First let me say thank you to all who reached out, some of your emails moved me to tears. This community is a small one, but a very special one!! I have answered each individual email, but would also like to address all of LADL readers.

It has been a tough decision, ending LADL. For five years (September) this little blog has kept me motivated, inspired me and allowed me to make lots of friends around the world. Downsizing was easy at first, I will admit it becomes more difficult as time goes by. It's not that I am so "attached" to the dolls and their collection themselves, it's more the memories and what the dolls have meant to me during a difficult time in my life.

Life has it's ups and downs. Change is inevitable. Since LADL began, my life has undergone several serious changes. I know a lot of you have your own struggles and challenges, so I will be candid here. LADL was a creative outlet yes, but a bright spot in my life as my marriage began to face difficulty. This community kept me going during my two year separation, then carried me through as a source of strength during my divorce.

I don't pretend to be bullet proof, there has been (little) negativity and personal attack towards my integrity in the past. As with any social media, once you "put yourself out there" you are an easy target. MANY of you rallied around me, refusing to believe the gossip, and I will never forget that.   

I have tried very hard to create a place for the doll community that includes ALL ages. A place where collectors and enthusiast can share ideas, feelings and excitement over this beloved hobby. No one is excluded from LADL based on age, race, religion or social background. We meet here daily, 24/7 from around the globe. 

My personal reasons for downsizing are numerous! But I will clue you in on a few....I'm in a transition, I believe God is calling me to walk down a different path during this moment of my life, there are many other things I am eager to explore, to grow as a person, and I have a fear that LADL will soon become redundant and that's not fair to all of you. (And yes, many of you asked, I'm out of room HAHA!) 

LADL will remain online. All of the reference materials, HTM/DIY tutorials, reviews, photo stories, on location and in store reports can be reference any time.

We have six months remaining to share doll news. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Send in photos of what your dolls are doing, we would love to see!!

*UPDATE* Downsizing Current Collection

Here is another update of my dwindling collection. All of the dolls with an X have found new homes, along with their collections. All DIY projects have been given away.

LADL will be having a few giveaway contests soon, of items still left within the collection.

*UPDATE* Downsizing Progress

Just a quick update on the doll room. Only one side is still intact. 

This wall was where Samantha, Kirsten and Grace lived.

I have been downsizing accessories, clothing and furniture first. 

Only a few dolls have found new homes.

I'll keep you updated. My goal is to complete the downsize project by December.

*UPDATE* Downsizing

As was previously stated, I have been actively downsizing my collection. I am still a fan of American Girl, but maybe I should clarify that it's the Pleasant Company American Girl Collection that has my heart.

There's something so charming and heart warming about the original concept and original girls.

  

It seems AG is straying FAR FAR away from the original ideas. I do love and appreciate some of the more recent releases, but as I downsize it's apparent I will be pruning things down to the core of PC AG collection. 

*UPDATE* Downsizing Collection

During the last year at LADL, there has already been a lot of downsizing going on. Especially in the mini doll world.

You can see my progress on downsizing.

VIDEO

New AG Holiday Catalog (Downsizing My Collection...)

Got the holiday catalog, I love looking at all of the holiday items for dolls. This is truly a great season for collectors. LADL will be bringing you Holiday In Store Reports and reviews.

Sad... I think Kit is looking for Ruthie.

Personally, I have decided to S-L-O-W down and will be downsizing my collection. Squeezing it down to only must have items. As mentioned before, I am not really a fan of BF and anticipate selling BF items. 

I enjoy displaying my collections within individual doll spaces and am maxed out. I especially love the Pleasant Company collections and will focus on obtaining missing items.

 I'm very excited that a new historical doll -Elinor, Your Elizabethan Girl will debut spring 2017 from A Girl for All Time!