BARBIEOLDNEWGREENREDO--JUST A GRANNY HAVING FUN WITH DOLLS< DIORAMAS STORIES AND DIY

BARBIEOLDNEWGREENREDO

My Dolls who have Closets!

 "Start at the very beginning, a very good place to start." from Sound of Music 

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I had a small wood/cardboard suitcase like this for my Muffy/Ginny dolls, so figure since 1953-4. I got my first Barbie in 1960, and of course she needed that suitcase for all her clothes...I sewed. 

 But, now Barbara M Roberts of BMR Ltd, (my first Barbie) is in my doll stories. And that poor case, has long since disintegrated, so the whole doll room has become HER's and all her friends' Closets. 

My very first 'new' contemporary Barbie doll, I found in a thrift store to play with the Grandgirl, who named her Richelle and a jointed Ryan doll, named Kurt. Richelle always wears shades of violet and purple. Pickings were pretty slim back in those day, 2013-4...so I sewed and scrounged purple/lavender clothing aside for Richelle. That's when I decided she needed her own closet instead of a go-fish situation in the enlarging piles of dollclothes.

Here's the many faces of Richelle.

 


She first lived in the HFIM house, then a basement apartment with Ryan, and now in the Grandgirl's house (we built and got back when she turned 12) which is in the doll room now. She married Ryan and they share the house with Midge(repro) and really cute Allan,(Ryan doll) who have an apartment in the lower level of the house.

Allan and Midge have only one room and a full bathroom and a dressing area, needed a separate closet, with use of the upstairs livingroom and kitchen. Most of my doll closets are cobbled redo's...or wooden/plastic silverware trays, or of course, cast off Mattel closets from thrift stores, which I have redone 


Ryan and Midge have this closet, which was one of those jewelry cases with a drawer and two spinning hooks. I removed the hooks and inserted a dowel rod for hanging clothes. This works perfect for a wardrobe. Painting it brown for the original 'mancave' when this was my Grand's dollhouse.



The house was built around the furniture i found, that's the window above that was designed for this particular piece of furniture. This dressing area holds the wardrobe with a drawer, a bench trunk, perfect for  putting on and storing shoes.  

Their bed's mounted on an altered jewelry box and has two drawers for clothes...perfect for a new couple.


 Hanging pieces and sports equipment can be stored under the stairs. (Behind the TV shelf below.)

Before Grand Opening....Vickie's Vintage has a few visitors...all the way back to 2018. Enjoy!

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NOTE: I treat BMR, (my original no. 3 from 1960), the actual age she was in 1960 so now she is 76. So she dresses and acts that age, well a spry 76.)

Very early on the next day--Vickie opened the shop door early for Barbara M Roberts and her niece, Lara. Not only are they her building manager and landlady--they have become her very good friends.

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Vickie's is ready for the crowd today---if yesterday was any indication.

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BMR: Congratulations Vickie, that was quite the opening last night.

Vickie: Thank you, I think we were surprised too and dinner was delicious, many thanks to you!

BMR:Well, the store looks fabulous, especially without all those people that were here last night. I have to get some shopping in. I saw a yellow outfit, I'm interested in.

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(Last night snapshot of Richelle, BMR and Lara on the stairs. These three are responsible for the re-construction of the building.)

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Lara: Auntie Barb, look what I found, I love this dress.

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Zoe: There are two pair of slacks, the robe, and top here. How about this great golf skirt? Lara said you are quite the golfer.

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BMR: I love the little purse---and the skirt is perfect...not too short-you know I'm getting older and a certain amount of decorum is necessary. Yes, the whole thing...Vickie has such good taste and knows exactly what I like.

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Ryan's Mom, Sandi, appears from the back room and chimes in: Oh, Miss Roberts---you always look so fabulous. You are a role model for all us women of a 'certain age.' (She giggles)

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BMR: Why thank-you. I really do try to be a role model. And, working with Vickie, Richelle, and Ryan has been a dream. 

Dealing with local regulations and acquiring historical status for this building wasn't easy and caused so many delays in construction. But, I think it is worth it!

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Vickie: We love the store, it's perfect. Thanks again, Miss Roberts. And, I'm glad you found something you liked.

BMR: (Big smile) It's always great shopping at Vickie's, my Dear.

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Looks like we bought out the store.... Now breakfast!

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There's will always be great shopping at 
Vickie's Vintage!

(more on Vickie's Opening day later)

CAST:

BMR-Barbie no.3 in original #943 Fancy Free '
and Pretty Changes #2598 1979-81 
purchases were :

Lara Roberts-on the stairs-original clothesBlack Label #The Barbie Look late 2015

Richelle: Playline 2015 face on a Mattel articulated body in Mattel 2103 Fashionista dress/BLT09

Zoe: 1998-99 flat foot Barbie

Sandi:'Happy Family' Grandma in clone clothes maybe...not sure.

Midge:outside--anniversary Midge with eyelashes (articulated) in this and that, purchased green dress unknown.


Vickie's Vintage Private Opening

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Vickie's Vintage Private Opening

originally posted on 
Friday, September 14, 2018. 
Like always I have tweaked and edited...enjoy.


All the hard work is about to pay off...
what a scramble in the doll world...

Vickie's Vintage OPENING!!!

Outside the block is jammed with traffic, Channel 7 News is on the spot. Teresa interviews the 'movers and shakers' responsible for revitalizing this neighborhood including the alderman.

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Chelsea's aunt picked the twins and her up from school in the Malibu Jeep they brought from California. 
Chelsea: Wow, what's going on at Vickie's?
Auntie: Interviews for the opening, tonight.
Stacey:Can we stop and get in line?
Auntie(mom):Not now, we will come tomorrow. Tonight is a Private Party!

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Close friends and helpers stand in line for support..and to get the first peek at the new Vickie's.

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Vickie and her interior designer, Richelle, who arrives driven by fiance' Ryan who works at the Chicago Urban Renewal Office.

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Vickie: Thanks, everyone for coming---we will be just a bit for pictures a couple of speeches and then the doors will be open. Please wait, we are so excited to open.

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Teresa from Channel 7: Alderman can please tell our viewers how the opening of Vickie's Vintage helps the neighborhood.

Alderman: Well, Teresa---a year ago this block was infested with crime and absentee owners. And, worse owners who didn't want our fair city to retain its neighborhood atmosphere. Thanks, to the BMR Limited, and Ms. Barbara M Roberts, we have renewals on these historic buildings and renewed interest in the area. This improves the tax base as well as the quality of life for all. Investment in the history, will bring big returnw for the future.

Teresa: Thank you, and Ms. Roberts, what does this building mean to you?

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Barbara M Roberts: Well, Teresa, it isn't what it means to me, but what this renovation will do for the community. We have plans for renovations on fourteen structures within this block. We've been inundated with businesses who wish to lease, and many renters wanting to rent upstairs apartments. Vickie's is special and Vickie represents the best of entrepreneurship, staying true to her neighborhood. This business will be a great start for revitalizing this community.

Teresa: Thank you, Ms. Roberts. I understand your niece, Lara Roberts, has been managing the project. 

BMR: Yes, Lara is right here next to me, my right hand Girl!

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Teresa: Did you get all that, Ian. 
Ian: Sure, I'll move behind you now.

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Vickie: Richelle has been the designer responsible for all the details of the building renovation. 

Richelle: It has been very gratifying, I can't thank BMR for all their innovative ideas, and the office of Urban Renewal.



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Alderman: Can we get a few shots inside? Then I have to shake a few hands and leave, I have a fund raiser!








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Everyone waiting in the line is patient.

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Vickie picks up a box of flowers on the front stoop, as everyone pours into the store for more photos.


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Alderman: All these shoes, don't take video of these, my wife will buy out the store. 

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Carly: Are those from Joe? Why three I wonder?
Vickie: They are beautiful. I'm glad we have some water for them. I wish he was here. He left the corsage for me at the house, I must have missed him, again.

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Richelle, BMR, and Lara pose for photos.

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Alderman: Congratulations, Vickie---the store looks wonderful. I hope you have enough merchandise--after our news clip airs, you will be very busy.

Vickie:Thank you for coming and all your help on clearing some of the building obstacles. 

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Vickie: This is so exciting----Let's open the doors and let all our friends in. 

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The crowd is excited....this shop is right around the corner from the HFIM house.

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They had no idea, what a big deal tonight was. Getting inside took some time....!

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Teresa Channel 7: I understand, Zoe, you are from Canada, and have worked for Vickie since the store opened last year. 

Zoe: Yes, Vickie was a great help in giving me part-time work so I could go to school and work at a pre-school in the mornings. I'm so excited to manage the bridal shop...we have oodles of dresses and accessories.

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Carly: It's a great place to work, Teresa, and I also work part time as a ballet instructor. Jeffrey here, works in Urban Planning. He has two buildings on this block he is involved with.

Teresa: That's amazing, Jeffrey, I've seen some of the construction going on, I had no idea it was such a big project.

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Teresa: What is your relationship to Vickie's Vintage.

Mom: I'm Ryan's mother and Richelle will be my daughter-in-law, if they ever have time enough to get married. I'm hoping the wedding boutique will remind them...they have postponed twice now.

Teresa: (Laughing) well, I guess we won't share that with our viewers. 


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Upstairs on the balcony, Vickie gets a chance to speak with Barbara M R.

Vickie: Oh, do you like what we finished the store?

Barbara: The store far surpasses, what I had dreamed it could be. I Love the refurbished cabinets. I can't wait to shop. 

Vickie: Oh, thank you---we worked so hard on them. Everything has been refurbished, it's hard to imagine everything is OLD, except for pantyhose, underwear and some jewelry. All the fixtures and furnishings were REDO's.
.

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Vickie: I have a few wonderfully vintage outfits set aside for you. Can you come by tomorrow?


Barbara: Of course, Lara has her eye on something, I can see her now. Oh, they are all coming up the stairs now.

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Minutes later the upstairs Wedding Boutique  is jammed.

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And so is the downstairs. Ian gets video of the swirling crowd.


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Jessica: Look at these fabulous designer sandals! Such a bargain!

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The clothing turntable spins constantly.
 Midge has found a dress, too.

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Mom: Young man, can you put this aside for me. 
Patrick: Um, I don't work here, but I will take it back to the desk. Your Ryan's mom, right?
Mom: Sure, that's me.

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Lara: Attention, Attention! On behalf of BMR Enterprises, we want to thank you all, for your part in making this endeavor possible.  Ms. Roberts has requested we all move to Tony's Seafood in fifteen minutes for a buffet dinner and celebration. Vickie has asked anyone wishing to purchase anything, please bring it to the desk and they will save it for pick up tomorrow. 


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Kevin: Belle, do you want to walk over to Tony's with me? 
Belle, sure, how have you been? I hardly ever see you at the house anymore.....(they continue talking and leave).


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Mom: Well, I say this is a lovely success. Especially the wedding department---remember that, a wedding?

Ryan: Mom, we have ALL been kinda busy---this project has taken way more hours than you can imagine.

Richelle: I know Mom, as soon as we can clear our calendars a bit. Let's go eat, I'm starved.

Everyone leaves and Vickie, locks up. 
Outside...look who pulls up after everyone is gone.

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Vickie: JOE! I can't believe you came?
Joe: Honey, I only can stay a minute, I have to get out of here. I can't be caught on camera---you know...undercover is the job. 

Vickie: I know...but I miss you! Why three roses? 
Joe: One for every week we have been apart. Goodbye, I have to go. (He drives off) 


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(Joe looks in the rearview mirror. She's so beautiful...I hope she can wait a bit longer.)

Vickie waves and tries to smile.

Vickie's sighs. (It's my big night...and it seems like we say good-bye a lot. Maybe too much.)  

....always continuing... ;-)