Spinning My Wheels ...

It seems there has been a lot of "going nowhere fast" around here.  The past twelve months have really got in the way of my blogging.  As followers may remember, I changed school districts last summer and had the daunting task of moving 20 years of teaching materials from one school to another.  It was a smart decision, although an expensive one.   Even though I am still teaching a similar curriculum, there was a great deal of logistics to learn.  The system where I work now is very different from my previous employer.

In September, my fur baby "Millie" was diagnosed with heart problems.  We went to a dog cardiologist and started her on a regimen of expensive drugs.  Then over Thanksgiving she was diagnosed with cancer.  She has required much of my time and I wanted to give her the best quality of life I could provide.  Unfortunately, she lost her battle on May 8.  Here is a photo of my little girl when she was healthy.  I miss her terribly.

Since my car accident over the Christmas holiday, I've been battling with the other driver's insurance company.  My knee was injured, but because I have rheumatoid arthritis the insurance company kept claiming pre-existing condition.  We finally settled and have moved forward - I guess it's just a given that bad drivers have bad insurance.

Last year, I missed my annual "doll purge", so I've been trying my best to get back on track.  It hasn't been easy.  I considered selling my vintage Barbie collection.  Unfortunately, when I took out the clothing I decided to try some of it on my Integrity character.

The Royal Weiss saw the clothing and immediately took over for modeling.  She selected the ensemble "Outdoor Art Show"(#1650 1966-1967).

I was surprised the ensemble fit the tall FR body so well.  I decided to try some of these on my earliest versions of each character.  Fete Accompli was the first released issue of character Tatyana Alexandrova (she was the 2008 Integrity Convention gift doll).  She is wearing "Career Girl" (#954 1963-1964).

How about Spectacular Spectacular Eugenia Frost from 2007.  She is wearing "Busy Gal" (#981 1960-1961 Reproduction Version).  I like how her ponytail comes through the little hole in the hat!

I remember how excited I was to finally acquire the first version of Elyse Jolie, Blue Blood, from the 2009 Integrity Toys Convention.   She is modeling a reproduction version of "Easter Parade" (#971 1959).

Next up is one of my very favorite Integrity Dolls, Cosmetic Takeover Natalia from the 2004 Convention.  She is wearing "Crisp 'n Cool" (#1604 1964-1965).  Cosmetic Takeover Natalia is the first issue of the Natalia Fatale character and has been put on a FR2 body!

The vintage clothing is little loose in the bust of the FR2 bodies (just like the regular FR clothing).  The same is probably the case for the NuFace dolls.  I thought I would try something where the top was knit.  How about Costume Drama Giselle, her first issue was a W Club Exclusive in 2007.  She is wearing "Resort Set" (#963 1959-1962).

I love my Victoire Roux dolls and how the vintage clothing is perfect for them.  Here is the first issue of Victoire from the 2011 Integrity Convention Faubourg Saint Honore.  She is wearing "Dinner at Eight" (#946 1963-1964).  Even the shoes fit her tiny little feet.

Let's get Miss Poppy Parker in on the fun.  I believe Summer Magic and Pillow Talk were released first in 2009.  Summer Magic Poppy Parker is wearing "Open Road" (#985 1961-1962).

After all of this work, I decided I couldn't sell my Vintage items ... I'm not even sure I can figure out which dolls to re-home .... those wheels just keep spinning!