I can remember back in the day when I was new to Blythe and the different faces were just confusing (and yes, I realize that I am now dating myself when it comes to how long I’ve been in this hobby). For those playing along at home, there are many different types of legitimate Blythe dolls, and then some not-so-legitimate Blythe dolls. This post will be addressing full-sized Blythe dolls which will include: Kenners, BL, EBL, SBL, RBL, FBL, RBL+, and ADG – for the legitimate dolls. And then a short blurb on “factory”, TBLs and fakes.

All Blythe dolls are the same height (11.5″) and have a similar body shape. With the exception of BLs on Licca bodies, all other Takara Blythe and ADG Blythe dolls are on bodies that are very similar to the bodies that Kenners were on (arms sticking out, knees that ‘click’ to bend). Additionally, all Blythe dolls have an eye mechanism where they have four sets of eyes chips (two facing forward, one facing left, and one facing right).

Kenner Blythe Dolls – 1972

Kenners are the vintage, and original, Blythe dolls. They were designed by Allison Katzman in the 70s and produced by the toy company Kenner (hence their name). The dolls are often referred to as “KBs” by collectors, for Kenner Blythe. The dolls will have 6 or 7 lines of text on the back of the doll’s body, unlike modern Blythe dolls they did not come with text on the back of their heads. Kenners come in four stock hair colours: blonde (sidepart only), red, brunette and raven (a darker brown). For all of the hair colours, aside from blonde, the hair styles came in wispy bangs, chunky bangs, centre part and sidepart. Some hair styles are more rare and elusive than others.

All 1972 Kenner Blythe dolls, in various types of conditions.

The sound of pulling a Kenner’s pullstring is actually a lot softer than with a modern Blythe doll – collectors refer to this as the “Kenner pip” due it being so soft in nature. Kenners can be found in all sorts of conditions these days, the best way to purchase one is to either buy online (from another collector) or via online websites like eBay. Click to read more of this entry.

What’s a doll collector to do when she has a pile of Moo and business cards collected? Turn it into art! This is an easy little DIY that helps to showcase your favourite Moo cards.

I started this project before BlytheCon Seattle, but I actually did not have enough cards (does this maybe mean that I need to shop more? I think it does!), so I had to wait until I got back to reassess how many beautiful cards I had to use. Lo and behold, I had more than enough (and some extra for the start of another frame!). I mostly used Moo cards for this project, but my next one is definitely going to featuring postcards and traditionally-sized business cards since I have so many of them (and they’re beautiful!). This is an inexpensive project that allows you to make something pretty from the collected cards that you already have on hand, I hope you enjoy. Click to read more of this entry.

When it comes to crafting for dolls, I like things that are cute and easy. When it comes to this tutu, there could be nothing easier! You can be creative as you want with combinations of colours, the sky is the limit when it comes to these little tutus. They can be worn as a skirt, or a petticoat to add some volume under your favourite doll dress. Bonus: if you had longer strips of tulle, you could make a tutu for yourself and match with your doll!

You will need:

• Tulle, or fabric
• Scissors
• Ruler (optional)
• Elastic band/hair tie/ribbon – the elastic band or hair tie will need to fit around a Blythe’s waist

Directions:

Cut off a piece of tulle, I measured out two full ruler’s length  – approximately 60cm (or 30″). If you need more, or you’re making a tutu for a larger/smaller doll, adjust the length as needed.

Fold up the tulle so it’s easier to cut it straight (if you’re challenged like me!)

Cut it in 1″ increments, all the way down. You can eyeball this, if you’re confident.

Fold each piece in half. Is it too long for your doll? Cut it in half again!

Fold each piece in half, put the ‘loop’ into the elastic (or along the ribbon), pull the ends through the loop and pull it snug. If you’re using ribbon, you want the length to be long enough that you can tie a bow around your doll’s waist.

Repeat all the way down the elastic or along the ribbon until you have enough to go around your doll’s waist.

Put it on your doll! Take photos and have fun!

I love doll shoes. Love, love, love doll shoes. There’s just something about the small size, the quaint details, and the adorableness of having tiny shoes that I just love. Which then inspired me to actually share more of my tiny shoe collection. I’ve already made a shoe display, but I just love shoes so much that I need to share more of them on a regular basis! This serves several purposes: allows me to play more with my tiny doll shoes, allows me to showcase some cute shoes that you may not have seen in person, and kind of enables me to buy more shoes. This is both of a good and a bad thing.

In this premiere installment of Tiny Shoe Love, I decided to show off two pairs of shoes:

Stock heels from Monique Magnifique:

I like these stock shoes because they have the lacing detail with the two-tone design. Additionally, the shoes are just slightly curved to create a left and a right shoe (if you can’t tell the difference, it’s okay because there is an R and an L on the bottom of either shoe).

Vintage dark brown squishy Barbie boots:

Vintage squishy boots are wonderful, I quite like them! They come in many colours, but this pair photographed is dark brown. As you can see, they managed to put in a lot of detail in a single-coloured boot. There is the lacing up the from, with the bow at the top, as well as the slouch at the back near where the doll’s ankles would be, and the boots are highly textured.

Hello, my wonderful fans! Have you missed me? Because I have missed you! Today I am here to talk about why having sisters is okay sometimes okay. When I’m not tapping away at the keyboard of the laptop to “talk” to all of you, I live with a bunch of sisters, both older (Kenners) and young (Middie, Petites). It is hard sometimes to have so many siblings because it means that there is more sharing involved. And do you know how much I like to share? Not at all.

Shoes stolen from Belarus.

The nicest thing about having siblings is that when they move in, they bring a wardrobe with them, and shoes! Shoes are the best part of getting new sisters, because it means more shoes for me. It’s not that the shoes don’t fit my sisters, they do, but it’s kind of an unspoken rule that the shoes become mine the moment that they arrive. There is, essentially, a “shoe fee” for becoming a new sister here. If you want in, you’re going to have to bring me a new pair of shoes! The best sister arrival ever was Belarus (Love Mission) because she brought me two pairs of shoes. I learned from the very beginning to collect a shoe fee. The worst sister arrival was when Primrose and Lillian arrived. Not only did they pretty much show up naked (and without legs, to boot!), they didn’t bring shoes with them. The only saving grace that they had was the fact that Michelle was all obsessed with them (ugh) and bought a lot of shoes after they had arrived. Best thing ever. I confiscated all the shoes for my own closet, of course.

In earnest, I sorta like my sisters. Sometimes. Sometimes they’re okay. If Michelle brings anyone new home, they’d better come with some cute shoes. I’ll take some nice ankle boots, preferably black leather with a cute slouch look.

Sophie is a mostly stock Cappuccino Chat that came to live with me in June 2009. She loves shoes, new clothes, playing with her hair, fashion, magazines full of fluff and shopping. She aspires to be a model and would like to model for some of the ‘great’ dolly fashion houses one day.