Jerrold de Wolfe's Knit Collection One word: WOW!

It's been awhile since I have mentioned a doll not part of the Gene line. But yes, other fashion dolls do exist! LOL! And here's an exclusive limted to 1000 pieces: Afternoon Out Alex - Madame Alexander - available at GoCollect.com.

I really love the Alex dolls. They have all the quality you would expect from Madame Alexander, and the clothes are fresh and fun. I am still waiting for Milano and Book Tour. But geez! Where am I going to put them all?

Trent Photos (inside). Thanks to Heather of Share the Dream for these GREAT photos. I am salivating over Trent in The Rains Came.

Here's the official picture of Shimmering Star. At collectiblestoday.com

And here's the Masquerade Trio. I want them all NOW.

Finally! Trent Costumes on actual dolls! Ooooooh I can't wait!!

So is this the inspiration for Encore's hairstyle? I think so. This is Greta Gynt in Mr. Emmanuel.

Interesting. Love in Bloom sports a short hairstyle. (Rumored to be cut choppy though.) And you must attatch her chignon yourself. Hmmmm.

And for the record, Gene is going to make her appearance on HSN tomorrow at 5p.m. Eastern time. So check your local listings. Lovely in Lace is set to retire.

I added some pictures of Diana in her ski ensemble as well as a wonderful swap gift from Tommie to my FM Dolls Photopoint Album. Check out the link on the left to view.

Warning!! Rant mode on!!!

It all started with a post on Vicky's Board yesterday: Headline: *Garden Party* is a victim of bad fabric by Clint.

And this just struck a cord with me. Clint posts his very opinionated reviews of whatever has just been released, quite often and usually they aren't very positive. Infact, and this is what gets to me, he seems to take the tone, that if you like a particular outfit that he doesn't that you are an idiot.

My full review of Garden Party will be up at "Diva Dish" very shortly, but just let me say this is a gorgeous outfit that is a victim of AD's poor fabric choices. I'm VERY unimpressed with this fabric at this price point...more later!

And here's my response:

"If you are so unimpressed, send her back, no one is forcing you to buy her.

Frankly, this is the first Gene I will have gotten this year, and one I have been eagerly awaiting. I have seen the orginal in person, and while it was being created, and the QC controls when Deb got them. She is GORGEOUS.

This doll is an amazing bargain at the pricepoint offered. (Embroidery and beading, hello!!)

AND it was nominated for a DOLLS Award of Excellence. Hmmmmm....Seems to me professionals in the doll world seem to know wha'ts good.

If this post seems a bit harsh, its because I am wondering who left you in charge of being the supposed expert on everything.

Thanks for your time.

Kristan"

Oh and I got called rude, which I knew would happen, lol.

But as you can see from my post, this time it was a bit personal. I had seen this doll go from an idea in Debbie's head to the actual doll on the table at convention surrounded by ribbons, to the quality control samples she received from Ashton-Drake, to seeing it in my shop window.

Of course AD couldn't duplicate the doll and all its intricate detail that Debbie did by hand. But if you look at it, and the orginal, the purse, hat and dress are faithfully duplicated! Amazing!

I don't know what kind of fabric Clint was expecting, his choice of satin would have been entirely wrong I believe. Yes we're down to opinions again, but there is a tactful way of expressing them. I shouldn't be made to feel that my choice of liking or not liking something is wrong. I like what I like. We should be thankful that AD offers us so many choices for all types of collectors.

I am sure I will have more to say on the matter later, but that's all for now, rant mode off.

Oh and for the record here is Clint's response and his review.

SURVEY: whos your fav dress-up Gene and why? Chev started a great thread on Vicky's Board. But how to answer?

I go in phases. Some dolls are just so perfect "as-is." Some of the dolls, I have never redressed are American Countess, Daughter of the Nile, Priceless, Breathless, Lovely in Lace, Shooting Star and any of the convention dolls. I also suspect Garden Party is going to be another. (Geez! That means I will need two of them!! LOL.)

Some dolls I find an outfit that is so perfect, that I hate to change them! For example, I have an Incognito in Hi-Fi with a wonderful snood made by Marla of Perky Snoods, and jewelry I made. Dance with Me is wearing a yummy sheath dress from House of Mirth and refuses to take it off. Midnight Romance has been wearing an outfit based on a "Twilight Zone" episode from DAE since I got it years ago. (That was one of my first custom outfit purchases.) And then my friend Wayne has made me some fabulous outfits that I can't bear to see them on any of the other girls! Night in Versailles has been wearing his "Silver Jubilee" since I got it for my birthday three years ago!



But as to dolls I always play with? It usually depends who's around. I have been having lots of fun with a First Encounter Madra lately. And White Hyacinth looks great in anything. So does Hello Hollywood, Hello or Encore. But I do love the posability of the newer line dolls. And every new doll that comes out is usually the Star of the moment.

eBay item 1245374752 (Ends Jun-17-01 13:52:10 PDT) - TRENT outfit-Pajamas,Robe,and Slippers This is too cool!! I am *itching* to sew for Trent. I hope Vogue comes out with patterns for him as well.

Trent and Ultimately Madra's "after hours" Piano Bar [pic-inside] Okay, Joyce is having WAY too much fun. :o)

AD Exclusive - Diamond Evening (more) Oh WOW!! Thanks Vicki for posting this!!

Pls read: Mel's comments on the Red Eyebrow ST controvery(long-msg) Thanks Tomi!

Rumor has it that Violet Waters is going to come with a microphone.

After Hours Trent WOW!!! Pardon me while I mop up the drool, he is FABULOUS!!!

Violet Waters has been revealed to be Gene's favorite jazz singer.

I posted the following to the GeneList:

Okee, first let me preface this is ALL MY OPINION!

While I think it is wonderful that there is going to be an African American character in the Gene line, is anyone else of the opinion that she doesn't truly represent the time period Gene represents?

In the 40's and 50's, we weren't as "forward" as we are today, and consequently, segregation was present. It's an ugly aspect of our history, one we don't like to remember. But it *did* happen. In Gene's time it wouldn't have been Politically Correct to have an African American friend, and while I am sure that such friendships did happen, they weren't widely known, and sadly frowned upon.

Mel once described Gene as "a valentine to a period" and here we have it in all its sugarcoated glory. (Just like the changing of Gene from a cigarette girl to a flower seller...)

Will I get a Violet? Most likely. Mom is going to flip for her I know, her collection focuses primarily on "ethnic" dolls. I just hope her sculpt is truly unique, and that she does look African-American, and not just a different color Gene or Madra.

The other thing that bothers me, and this is no fault of the dealers, but if its true that dealers have to have their pre-orders in by a certain date for the doll that is supposed to debut AND retire the Appreciation weekend, and we have yet to see a full photograph of the doll...following me here? $150 is alot of money to commit to a doll you've only seen the arm of. Yes I know there is also the chance to preorder the pre-2002 release and have her by Xmas, but still....most likely, that doll is not going to be as spectacular as the "Premire" of VW. Of course this is all speculation on my part, both dolls could be drop dead gorgeous knock my socks off BEAUTIFUL. Unfortunetely I am not made of money. Perhaps in my 6 years of collecting Gene I have become a bit jaded.

I think thats it..I'm interested of course in hearing what you all have to think about Miss Violet Waters, so please drop me a line at krispin41@yahoo.com.

Okay here is the scoop from Steve at Dolls, Gifts & More:

We have just posted the "teaser" photo of the newest addition to the Gene Marshall Collection. "Violet Waters" will make her debut AND RETIRE at the Gene Fan Appreciation Weekend on November 2-3-4, 2001. There will also be a second Violet doll, an early release from the 2002 collection to arrive just in time for Christmas. Please visit our web site to view her and reserve yours today!

Also, don't miss the new Gene 2002 Calendar, the newest TRENT Doll "After Hours," the first Trent with NO mustache and much more.

Dolls, Gifts & More
www.idgm.com
800-396-5923
925-314-7850
925-314-7854 fax

I haven't yet confirmed it with my own dealer, (Dolls, Gifts & More) but the rumor flying around Gene land is that a new character will be introduced during the Gene Fan Appreciation Weekend! And she is going to be African American!!! I do have some definite thoughts on this, and will post when I am more awake.