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I have been wanting to get a fixer upper doll---you have inspired me with some of your before and after photos and stories--but I may have bitten off more than I can chew for my first (and maybe last!) project. I just won this auction last night so don't have her yet. Any help or suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ayphotohosting
Update!
http://www.imagestation.com/album/in...?id=2120805270
This was my first (probably last too) restringing project. It was fun and very satisfying---not a perfect job, but I am very pleased with the outcome---and have grown very attached to this little girl.
I finally got Samantha restrung with the help of DH (and of course Taffy's restringing instructions on Maria's site) this afternoon. A few weeks ago I washed her hair with wig shampoo and conditioner from Sally's and did a downey dunk. Then I packed Sam's head in a plastic bag and took her on the flight to my mom's for two weeks (my bag was chosen to search--wonder what they thought of a doll head in a bag!!!?). While there, I curled and steamed her hair.
When I got home a few days ago, the tricky part began. I had to sew part of the hard vinyl leg joint to the cloth body where the body had come unsewn from the leg. I broke a needle in the process, but was able to get it done by using the original holes on the vinyl. I then had to darn a dozen little holes in the cloth body. Next, I had to put both legs back on---one of the ball joints was missing so we used a plastic bottle cap as some on the board had suggested. We also used the original elastic cord from one leg and cut it in half (because we couldn't find any cord locally the right 1/8" thickness). I then restuffed, put her head back on and dressed her in a 1986 Meet dress I just got on ebay. Oh, by the way, when I took her head off originally, a paper tag fell out of her head--WEIRD HUH!!! It says "Made in USA for Pleasant Company ....1986 Pleasant Company Inc." She doesn't have a lot of color on her face, but she has pretty light brown hair and fluffy eyelashes, and like I said, I have really grown attached to her. I just got Scenes and Settings on ebay and hope to acquire a bunch more goodies for her.
WHEW---sorry so long.
Karla
<font color="#051E50"><font size="1">[ September 11, 2005 09:00 PM: Message edited by: gmommy04 ]</font></font>
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ September 11, 2005 09:07 PM: Message edited by: gmommy04 ]</font>
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Sorry, I don't have any suggestions for you, but I will be watching this---my daughter wants to find a doll and fix her up also.
She doesn't look toooooooo bad though--Great Find!!!!
Good luck---I look forward to seeing the "after" pictures!!!
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Yeah! She's going to a good home. I love to watch these dolls on ebay and it's so neat when someone on the board rescues one.
You probably know the wonderful resource from "Just Magic" but here is the link for restringing:
http://www.justmagicdolls.com/articl...estringing.htm
Please take pictures as you make her over. I can't wait to see.
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Awww, she should clean up nicely! A little restringing, a shampoo and a hair steam and a little sewing work and she should be right as rain!
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I agree with kitschywoman.
Also, I hope that you can find some useful information in my "Restoration" album, if you haven't checked there already (the link is in my signature).
Have fun!
Joy
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions and encouragement. I will certainly keep you informed on my progress and definitely show before and after photos when the project is complete!!!
Thanks again,
Karla
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BUMP---just wanted to show you my finished project! Hope that's OK!
Karla
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My imagestation isn't working right so I can ony see the index shots but she looks great. I just won a Kirsten with her leg off so I may be contacting you. I'm glad Samantha found a good home.
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Sam looks beautiful!
She's lucky to have gotten such a good "mom" as you. [img]smile.gif[/img]
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Yes, she is beautiful! You did a great job!!
