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

BARBIEOLDNEWGREENREDO

Friday Night Fights?

Ad-Free Blog

It's Friday Night, and the city is opening up. Outdoor dining is allowed with masks and social distancing. 

Ian and Lara are embarking on a 'date' for a hotdog in the park. 

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Lara: Hi, Ian. I think it will be great to walk in the park, thanks for asking me. And, who can resist a Chicago Dog!
Ian: Sure feels strange doesn't it. I don't know if I should assist you walking down the curb or not. And, your mask is slipping. 


Lara: I'm okay, we will just have to keep at a distance. Blue's a great color on you!
Ian: You, too. I like that you are smiling, (chuckle.)


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Lara: (This is worse than my first date in Junior High). 
Ian: (Awkward---MUCH???)

A couple of hours later, the lights are down low in the lobby and Ian sees Lara to her door on the second floor.

Lara: Would you like to come in, I have some desert  for us.
Ian: Sure, when do you find time to bake?
Lara: Don't be silly, I live above a bakery. 

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Ian: Nice place, small but really nice for a studio.
Lara: I hardly notice, I always end up in the last unit in a project. This is my sixth one in almost three years. Most of my things are still in storage.

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Ian: That must be hard to do, keep moving all the time.
Lara: Cream or sugar with your tea?
Ian: Neither, this desert looks really good, is it Sindy's? 


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Ian: And you have piped in music in the building?
Lara: No, I think Colette has music on, not her usual though. 
Ian: Is that from Phantom of the Opera...pretty dramatic.

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Lara: Strange she usually has Blues or quiet Jazz on. Now, it seems to be louder, and "I Will Always Love You." Whoever. is playing the piano is quite good...and now slides right back into another Phantom song. 

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Ian: Music and desert what could be better and with a beautiful girl! 
Lara: You are too kind....

Across the hall, Colette and Emilie are trying on clothes purchased at Vickie's Vintage. 

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: Dees ees too short, or dees legs are too long. Zees fits on top, though! 

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Emilie: I luv this jacket, how about this one?
Colette: I vill try zees fleur abomination, first.

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: I like the top, but dees needs more skirt! Vat ees dat music. Lara must be playing it...very loud! You try one, Emilie!
barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: 'Tis not my legs are too long, yours are also, Ha!
Emilie: I love the colors...and it weighs nothing. What else should I try?

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: Uh, oh, zat ees a stand frock...not for bending over! Goodness that music...Phantom theme...from the Paree Opera House... oh, I miss Paree, and...."
Emilie: We will have to ask who the artist is ...very nice piano...reminds me of..."

barbieoldnewgreenredo

(Colette waves and motions to Laura to turn the sound down).



Lara: That's strange, Colette is motioning me to turn down the music? If she's not playing it, where's it coming from? Excuse me, I'll be right back I need to check and see what was left on, downstairs.


Lara: Oh, my, there's a Grand Piano in the lobby and a man playing it? Hey, YOU! What are you doing in our Lobby?

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Man: Mumbles, "I'm playing to heal my broken heart."

Add caption

(Runs his fingers across the keys, up and down...then bangs into ...

barbieoldnewgreenredo

...some Stevie Wonder....)

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Lara: Where did that piano come from and who are you? I'm coming down there now! You are trespassing!

barbieoldnewgreenredo

(Pounding out Count Basie)


Suddenly Man sings: And, I-i-i....will always love you--hoohoohooo, I"ll always love you...bittersweet memories.....(more piano playing)

bbarbieoldnewgreenredo

Lara: Please Stop! 


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Man: Fini!
Lara: What is this piano doing in our lobby, and who are you?


barbieoldnewgreenredo
 Lara: I will call 911.
Man: And what say I'm on Fire! Yeoooow! 
(pounds the keys---"Goodness, Gracious, Great Balls of Fire"
barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: Get out! Be Gone! I will....
Ian: Be careful before you go over the rail!

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: Gerard, you vile, horrible human, no zee ees not human, you're a DOG! 
Ian reaches for her as she throws ....
barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: Gerard, Leave me alone....!

barbieoldnewgreenredo

The wig lands on the Man...(Gerard)

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Gerard: My beautiful sweet, I will bring you my love and your ...hair. 

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Lara: No you won't. She has clearly said you are not welcome, and as far as I'm concerned you are trespassing and that piano needs to be gone, by morning. Do you understand?

Gerard: Another beautiful woman banishes me. Sigh, what is a poor piano artist to do? I imagine, you would love to hear Rachmaninoff, perhaps some Ravel, I will play just for you....!


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Lara: And remove that piano in the morning, or I will have it removed to the alley!

(Gerard disappears into the night!)


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Lara: He is gone for now....who is he?
Colette: My manager and... from Paree. I will take care of him, I will call the police.
Lara: Well, we really don't need to do that, but I can have security here in five minutes if need be.
Colette: I need to be alone now. (She leaves and slams the door).

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Ian: Well that was an end to an interesting evening? 
Lara: Sorry, I'm always on duty when it comes to this building. I guess we should end tonight. Now, I have to make arrangements to have that piano gone by 7 AM before the shops open.
Ian: Sure, understand...maybe we can try this another time. 
Lara: Sure...take care, and thanks, Ian...it was really  nice.



barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: He is impossible! 
Emilie: Maybe he brought your wardrobe trunks.

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Emilie: You knew he wouldn't give up...!

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: I will never take him back...never....(sobbing...and wailing, and...)

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Lara: Piano movers will be here at 6 AM double-time on Saturday. I guess that was a good date..for a 'masked' date. Now, I really don't need to have a second piece of cake...but, what a day!
How did Gerard know, I simply love Ravel...?


Thank you for visiting, I will try and respond to every question and comment. I will be doing further posts on tutorials for the Hotel and contents.

Please follow me at these great blog parties:





What a Diva! Warning doll Nakeditty.

AD-Free Blog

Well, it' official...my Diva, Colette, has put a stop to all the doll stories---UNTIL SHE GETS A WARDROBE! I looked online, but there wasn't really anything or everything with 'her demands  would be very expensive. More power to all those doll couture artists out there, but I don't pay more for doll clothes than on my own. 


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: You leave me naked with all dees NOT CLOTHES piles of fabrique!



One of the frustrations of working with this doll, besides her own Diva-ness is her wardrobe. What you don't see below is the pins and clips holding this wonderful Fashion Avenue outfit together. 


barbieoldnewgreenredo

And the capris barely cover her knees.

Colette (Jazz Baby Diva-2007) is really a skinny---tall---weird bodied Barbie. It seems Colette received a new Barbie Pivotal body in 2007 along with a few other Jazz Babies, and then that body was never seen again?.


I decided to do some comparisons with my own various doll (Mattel) types.

barbieoldnewgreenredo
After pouring over my vintage patterns and new ones, I dragged out my dolls to measure and  compare.

L-R to the right tape. 
1959 no.3 original body at 11 1/4",with feet for heels.

1966 TNT body 11 3/4" tall with bendable rubber legs which was used well into the 1990's, with feet for heels.
  A Pivotal with a body started in the 1990's 11 1/2" tall (this body type originally came with straight hands and also a flat foot version),  this Nikki has the hands that move and copyright of 2009.

Last, I have put Colette with her 12" skinny pivotal body 2007 with fixed ankles and feet for only heels. 


barbieoldnewgreenredo

L-R the doll body I dislike the most---the Model Muse 11 3/4" which started copyrighted 2003 and came out in 2004. They have lots of gorgeous faces, clothing and personalities, but simply are HARD to dress and legs are barely moveable and mine lock together. Feet for heels only. And, I have very little clothing which looks good on her. I swap out MM bodies and use the heads, immediately now. Also. unless they are standing and posing they are useless in a doll story!

The next blond is the New Made to Move 11 1/2" with feet extended for heels, but does wear flats. First MTM's appeared on the scene in 2016, they have been tweaked a bit over the years.

Dark hair and curls Luci Hernandez is a MTM and looks taller because of hair.

Next is a Tall Fashionista 12" with flat feet. from last year.
Last is Curvy 11 1/2" Ella Fitzgerald with her curvy MTM body. 

I have tons of vintage patterns for 11 1/4" original Barbie. And lots that fit the TNT's. I am capable of adjusting patterns, and even drafting them ====but I'm planning to just tweak some. 

I chose five to measure for adjusting patterns.
Doll Measurements:
                    Jazz Baby      MTMove   Curvy MTM    Original     TNT

Height                12"            11 1/2"        11 1/2"           11 1/4"      11 3/4"
Waist to heel      7 1/8"        7"                6 3/4"              6 3/4"        6 5/8"
nape to waist      2 1/2"        2 1/8"          2 1/4"              2 1/2"        2 1/4"
shoulder             2 3/8"        2 1/4"           2 3/8"             2 3/8"        2 3/8"
arm to wrist       3 3/4"        3 3/8"           3 3/8"             3 1/8"         3 1/8" 
Bust                   4 3/4"        4 7/8"           5 5/8"             5 3/8"         5 1/2"
Waist                  3 1/2"        3 3/4"          4 3/8"             3 3/8"          3 1/4"
Hip                     4 3/4"        5 1/8"          6"                    4 3/4"          4 7/8"
Inseam               5 3/4"        5 1/4"           5 3/8"             5"                5 1/2"


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Me: So, you are leggy, skinny, and long-armed...no wonder nothing fits you.
Sigh! So is this what we have to pick from...



Colette: In Paree, we not wear all dees colors! But, I do perform and will luv sparkles and how you say metals...nooo, metallics!  


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: I vant neutrals, natural fibers, cashmere knits, fur, and silks. And tailored clothes...with style.

Me: Well, my dear, let's just imagine these are linen...(not cottons and blends).


barbieoldnewgreenredo



Me: (Scarves) Again, imagine some linen and cutaway silks.
Colette: Zee silk with zee fringe, Magnifique!


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: Zee gray is lovely, the blue/black silk eez subtle, purple eez, tooo purple. (groaning swoon, here).
Sparklez are perfect, lights will bounce off seez under spotlights.


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Me: How about this selection I made yesterday after I drove to Joann's 16 miles away. 
Colette: Hmmm, dee mirrors are nice, purple with gold interesting. Black shantung, please into pantaloons. Zee lavender/silver?, not so sure.


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Me: How about the platinum and silver?
Colette: Perhaps on zee bias, and very drapey...with stone straps...?
Me: You don't expect much, do you? (Colette ignores this)


barbieoldnewgreenredo

Colette: Zee 'homme' plaid, leather, and 'charcoal' silk has possibilities. LUV zee leather!

barbieoldnewgreenredo

Me: How about this gorgeous piece and the two at the bottom?

Colette: Hmmm, zee large piece looks like a Chagall, the others would depend, daywear perhaps, or at home? Please hurry, I'm tired of pins and clips...and my legs expose in short dresses! Sigh!

Me: Well, we will see what we can do???

Dear Reader, I plan on posting successes and failures, and redrawing the patterns for your use when I succeed. I honestly couldn't find any online patterns for Jazz babies, without going into Fashion Royalty, Integrity, or some of those which aren't right either.

Do you have a doll, who is DEMANDING? 

Thank you for visiting, I will try and respond to every question and comment. I will be doing further posts on tutorials for the Hotel and contents.

Please follow me at these great blog parties:


barbieoldnewgreenredo