Confirmed news about Violet Waters!! (more inside)...

Tulsa convention competition Ooooh the excitement!! Sandra posted more tidbits about convention! I can't wait!

I almost forgot to mention, I picked up one of the latest doll magazines (Can't remember if it was Doll Reader or Dolls.), and noticed that the third issue of Carrolyn Cook's Gene book. This edition is set to ship in September and features the 2001 line. (No word on if it will include Violet Waters.)

Also featured was a new pattern book by Hazel McMahon of Gals Galore: Period & Contemporary: Patterns for Fashion Dolls. This one is also set for a September release.

Bijou Follies - 50 Years of Classic Movie Magazines Ooooh I can't wait to explore this one.

Hollywood starlets and leading ladies in stunning fashion pictures What a great resource for costume!

And here she is the long awaited Violet Waters

I think I have narrowed it down to the girl that is going to visit Holly. I am leaning toward a Warmest Wishes. And I really like the look of this doll. And I'd love her to have freckles as well.

And how can I forget the favors? ChrisQ created an AWESOME sketch of Debbie's doll, and Reba made beautiful matching parasols!

The Golden Gate Gene Club had a Garden Party today to celebrate fellow club member and designer of Garden Party, Debbie Silva. Debbie talked a bit about what went into the creation of her design as well as ribbon embroidery in general. Club members shared their dolls and mingled and shopped and swapped. We also had a wonderful raffle, where lots of wonderful goodies were to be had. I was lucky enough to win a repaint by Holly Miner as well as Gene's Gazebo which was donated by Marie from The Brass Horse. I am in loot heaven. Now I have the big decision of who is off to visit Holly. It's pretty tough. LOL.

I took a bunch of pictures, you can view them by clicking here. Enjoy. I particularly like the Tyler that Holly repainted with freckles and Black Ice Madra.

Still tweaking the search feature, hang in there.

Okee the catalog scans from the Retailer Catalog are up.

Here is Shimmering Star and here is Scarlett Temptress. I really can't wait for Shimmering Star.

Eeeek! Was going through some dolls today and took a Hearts Afire costume off my Champagne Supper, and icky red stains from the sleeves! *pout* Same thing with Love Letters and Love, Paris. :o(

And I missed the postman today and missed my Simply Soiree from DAE So I will have to pick it up on the way to work tomorrow.

Gotta love those new Silkstone dolls! Check out the new dolls in the Barbie 2002 line! Thanks to my buddy Darin for the heads up!

Please bear with me as I tweak the search feature. Thanks!

I am a little blabber mouth tonight. LOL.

I just picked up the latest copy of Contemporary Doll Collector from Scott Publications and our own Miss Gene Marshall is the cover-girl! (In a gorgeous Jerrold de Wolfe ensemble!)

Inside is an article by Carolyn B. Cook (author of The Gene Book) called "Original & Opulent: Designers of One-of-a-Kind Fashion Dolls." It discusses the current trend of one-of-a-kind (OOAK), custom fashion dolls and features artist OOAK dolls from Jerrold de Wolfe, MHD Designs (Magalie Houle-Dawson), Bill Jones, NiniMomo, One & Only Dolls (Reneé Coughlan), Jim Farone, Limited Orginal Dolls by Tré (Tré Kaminsky) and JaC Designs (Jenny Sutherland).

Remember my original take on A Lady Knows?

Well, I may be eating my words on this one. If we go by the picture alone (see the previous update), on first glance it does not scream out to me BUY ME. But in a closer examination of the picture, I may have to relent. The pieces of the outfit look promising, especially the fur! It's a true Kolinski style mink stole with face and tails. As well as the simple unadorned top which will be a good basic layering piece. I can already see it with the pants from Blonde Lace or the skirt from Good-bye New York. The purse also reminds me of a vintage Corde bag, which, my Grandmother assures me were all the rage in the 40's. (If only it had the lucite handle!) And the little bit of hair visible from beneath that big mysterious hat could be another period up-do reminiscent of Blue Goddess with straight (?) bangs. Of course if it is anything like the recent doll from the Portland Convention, I might have to have two!!

Oh yes, I almost forgot, Blue Fox (doll), Black Ice (doll), Anything But Nice (costume), and Blue Heaven (costume) have all started shipping.

I stopped by my local doll shop today and was delighted to find new Gene stuff! Always a good thing. But then, the hardest thing is to figure out what should come home with me. LOL. I decided on Trent's Tennis Anyone? ensemble. I must say it ROCKS.

You get a pair of white pants, a pair of white shorts, a pair of white socks, a pair of white canvas tennis shoes, a white shirt, a greyish "silk" shirt, a white belt, a patterned yellow ascot, a white knit sweater and a "gold" neckchain. All these mix and match possibilites, it's GREAT!! Like the tuxedo pants from Formal Introduction the pants have stirrups to keep them down. I had a little bit of trouble fastening the white shirt closed (hook and thread eyes) and it took the patience of a saint to get the shoes on. But once on, they look okay. What we really need now is a miniature shoe horn. Tee hee!! I also see Trent's "gold" chain becoming the nude stockings of the Trent world as two of the ensembles from this year include that accessory. My only disappointment of this ensemble is that it did not include any actual tennis accessories. Hmmm perhaps we will see a Trent accessory set in the future? Although this ensemble could work with Gene's Croquet Set.

Another interesting note, is that in the "timeline" of Gene, this actually predates Gene's debut in Hollywood, as it is from 1938. Which is only natural, as Trent was an established star when Gene came to Hollywood in 1941. The story card, features Jim Howard's sketch (rather than a photograph) and the story is told from Trent's point of view.

I also picked up the latest retailer catalog from Ashton-Drake while I was at my shop. This one differs from the catalogs mailed out by Ashton-Drake, in that it features, the retailer exclusive items, Scarlett Temptress, and Shimmering Star.

And it is confirmed that Scarlett Temptress Madra will indeed have half of the edition with two different colored eyebrows:

Star Retailer Exclusive Doll Which one will you get?

"Scarlett Temptress" is a limited edition of 2,500. 1,250 of these dolls have been hand-painted with dark eyebrows; 1,250 have been hand-painted with one dark eyebrow and one red eyebrow, reminiscent of Mel Odom's unique illustration style.

Doll with costume and custom stand.

Item 76272 Black Eyebrow $120.00
Item 76410 Red Eyebrow $120.00

A picture of both versions of the doll was presented side by side. I will have scans as soon as I can get to the scanner.

The Shimmering Star costume gets the full back cover of the catalog.

Available Exclusively from Authorized Gene Retailers

Shimmering Star

Gene's holiday TV Spectaculars became family traditions in homes around the country. When she made her entrance in this white and silver gown with its intricate silver beading, viewers ooohed and aaahed, You will, too! This year's Retailer Holiday Exclusive is as lovely as a gentle snowfall, with its silvery ruffled bodice dripping with shimmering beads that melt into a snowy white full skirt. Comes with shoes, gloves and earrings. EDITION LIMITED TO 5000 WORLDWIDE.

Item 38269 $65.00
Costume Only
Doll Sold Separately

The doll its pictured on what looks very much like Moments to Remember or A Toast at Twelve. I suspect it will equally look beautiful on an Unforgettable. Oh decisions, decisions...

And yes scans to come!

Oh yes speaking of catalog scans, I had actually uploaded these before Photopoint had gone down, so here they are for your perusal:

• Black Ice
  
• April Showers
  
• A Lady Knows
  
• Masquerade Trio, part 1
  
• Masquerade Trio, part 2

Ooooh just added! A comment system!! Just click on the Comment link below the post and you can add your own comment. All I ask is that you play nice. *smile*

Just a call - my After Hours Trent is IN!!! (and so soon)... Eeeeek! How am I ever going to save for Convention!?!

And rumors are surfacing that the Simply Gene Platinum dolls are shipping with bendy elbows!!

IN STOCK! - Gene Blue Fox & Madra Black Ice at Marsha's Dollhouse! I can't wait for Blue Fox.

Oooooh a new look, what do you think?

NEWS! - Digital Cameras, Digital Imaging, Digital Photography, Digital Scanners Thanks Hunca for the heads-up on the Photopoint "thing!"

Okay Photopoint is back up for now, so I have reinstated the links to the albums.

AND Gene was once again on HSN Sparkling Seduction was officially retired. I missed the show (I was sleeping.), but here are the item numbers in case you want to order, all items are at issue price:

• 484-854 Ultimately Madra (doll)
  
• 496-251 Sparkling Seduction (doll)
  
• 496-238 Heartless (costume)

Ahhh it seems Photopoint is down for whatever reason (and it had better be a good one! LOL) so I have disabled the links to the albums.

I've heard from several reliable sources that next year's... Interesting...let's hope its true.

Ahhhh one of my favorite vintage fashion dolls: Tammy, The Doll You Love to Dress in an article by John Medeiros at Master Collector ONLINE.

Okee, the search engine seems to be functioning! Yipee! So, if you look over to the left, for The Quest, it will take you right to it. Type in any word, and it will search The Spa Log for your topic!! Wow. Isn't technology great? I should probably go to bed now, it's almost 3am.

I added a search feature. However, I am still tweaking it. I'll let you know when it's fully operational. I also switched to a monthly archive setting, to make things a bit easier to navigate.

Simply Soiree from D.A.E. Originals - Extravagance in Doll Design is now officially sold out!

And in case you haven't noticed, The Kristana Spa Log has gone ad-free!! Yipee!!

Ahhhh...okee...I have been sitting on these updates for awhile, so unfortunetely some of them may be old news. Sorry about that. But for those of you just tuning in, here goes.

First, back on June 21st, Gene made her debut on HSN. In case you missed it, here are the items that were featured along with their respective order numbers. All prices were current retail, plus shipping and handling.

• 485-594 Simply Gene 2001 ("Raven" haired doll)
  
• 485-595 Hello Hollywood, Hello (doll)
  
• 484-856 Red Venus (doll)
  
• 485-596 Lovely in Lace (doll)
  
• 485-593 Midnight Angel (costume)

Lovely in Lace, last year's "early 2001 introduction" introduced at the "Fan Appreciation" weekend last November was retired on air. The next show is scheduled for July 16th. Tina, the host, hinted that the Gene Marshall, Girl Star book would be one of the items. I am hoping for some Madra stuff. This also looks like its going to be a regular affair as other Ashton-Drake dolls were included as well. *yawn* LOL.

And what's new in the Gene world at FAO Schwarz? Glad you asked.

First, as of this writing there are two exclusives still available.

• Perfect Match is "a smashing pink and grey hostess ensemble." Limited to 2500 pieces. #540617, $110
  
  
• Stardust Memories is "a strapless evening gown, shimmery in silver and just right for a silver screen premire." Limited to 3500 pieces. #431148, $100

These dolls are available by calling 800.441.7441, or at fao.com. The postcard states to use code GP401, when ordering.

There will also be four special events at FAOs around the country!

• Saturday, August 18th, 2001, 11am-2pm A tribute to our West Coast Gene costume designers! Meet Lynne Day, Bob Lange and Vince Nowell at a special signing only at FAO Schwarz, South Coast Plaza (714.751.6000)
  
  
• Saturday, September 22nd, 2001, 11am-2pm Gene costume designer Jim Howard and Gene Team Director Joan Greene will introduce the FAO Schwarz 2001 Winter Exclusive only at FAO Schwarz, Fifth Avenue (212.644.9400)
  
  
• Saturday, October 6th, 2001, 11am-2pm Jim Gaddis, Gene Team Coordinator, will give a seminar in Gene hair design, present the 2001 line and be on hand to answer questions at FAO Schwarz, Mall of America (942.858.9900)
  
  
• Saturday, November 10, 2001, 11am-2pm Gene Marshall Collection Creator Mel Odom will introduce a special FAO Schwarz edition only at FAO Schwarz, Ceasar's Forum Shops (702.796.6500)

Yes you read correctly, two! Yes two more FAO exclusives! The doll being introduced at the September 22nd, event is rumored to be Jim Howard's "Copper Beech" created last year for the charity auction at the national Gene Convention. Here's the picture I took last year, as well as the story card. Tenative name is Noble Invitation.

No word yet on the doll being debuted at the November 10th event, but my guess is that it has something to do with Violet Waters. Hmmmmm.

Mark Your Calendars! It's the 6th(!) Annual Share the Dream Tour!

• June 30th, 1pm-4pm, Collectable Treasures -- Springfield, VA
  
• July 13th, 5:30pm-8:30pm, Colorado Doll Faire -- Ft. Collins, CO
  
• July 14th, 1pm-4pm, Denver Doll Emporium -- Denver, CO
  
• August 4th, 1pm-4pm, Baby Me Dolls & Collectables --Billerica, MA
  
• September 15th, 1pm-4pm, Dolls, Gifts & More --San Ramon, CA
  
• September 16th, 1pm-4pm Designers Center -- San Bruno, CA
  
• September 29th, 1pm-4pm, Diamond -- Kennesaw, GA
  
• October 13th, 1pm-4pm, Ellie's Dollhouse -- Long Island, NY

Of course, times and dates are subject to change, so please call ahead for more details!

Speaking of D.A.E. Originals - Extravagance in Doll Design David just created another addition to his "Simply" line. Simply Soiree I couldn't resist. I ordered one with a pink blouse and grey sash. Ooooh I can't wait!!

Happy Fourth of July everyone!!

The Sci-Fi channel was having a Twilight Zone marathon. What does this have to do with fashion dolls you ask? Well, when I first started collecting Gene, DAE would debut their collections with much anticipation. I was lucky enough to get an ensemble based on the The Twilight Zone episode, "The After Hours." In this episode store manniquins come to life for a month, Anne Francis on a trip to the department store, forgets she is a manniquin and that her month is up. So I got to see this episode and the outfit that I purchased worn by "the saleslady," Elizabeth Allen -- she was the next manniquin to have her time out in the "real" world.

Here's a great Twilight Zone site called The Fifth Dimension and their synopsis of "The After Hours."