I just LOVE the before and after photos Diana sends us of dolls she has rescued – whether from Goodwill, a Thrift Store, eBay or otherwise. Let’s take a look at what she has been up to lately!
This doll is Gotz and she is Jessica from Precious Day with a different hair style then my previous Jessica. This one needed a lot of TLC, she came with her original clothes, no accessories but as you see her hair was a mess, she also had her nails painted and some trace of make up on her face. I paid less than $30 for her on Goodwill’s auction site including shipping.
I wanted to do something different with her hair, so I decided to curl it. She went into Diana”s Doll Hospital immediately, her nail polish was removed so as the make-up on her face. I used water and combed out the tangled hair and then I use the rollers to do two layers of rollers: upper and bottom. This is the result. This doll is now brand new, totally restored! She is labled Gotz, she is not Pottery Barn Kids, I think she is pre PBK.
Some great finds from the weekend…
Hannah loves to perform, here she is wearing the retired tap dancing outfit from 2009. Found it on Craigslist for $20, looks to be complete.
Sarah loves to ice skate and dreams of some day being a famous ice skater. She loves to perform her routines on ice. She is wearing the retired ice skating outfit. Craigslist for $20.
Sarah was getting ready for bed, but thought she could bring her pillow to Mommy’s bed for a little while. She is wearing a nightgown made by Disney for their toddler princess. Found it at Marshall’s for $2.
Lily was over joyed with her new dress and her new doll. She is wearing the retired Valentine’s outfit which I found on Craigslist for $15 with shoes and her porcelain doll I found for $2 at Goodwill.
Here is my new addition, just could not resist the price and they will no longer be available. Claudia is a Gotz doll that is sold as FAO Classic at Toys R Us for $59. She is an 18″ slim body doll. She was too adorable not to be with her sisters. She is a little darker skin complexion then Hannah, and her hair is in a bob style, she comes wearing glasses which I find so cute. Of course she is now in the beauty salon getting her hair done correctly. She also came with the backpack, and her extra set of clothes is a soccer outfit.
And finally, for you… a Mini Story – Welcome to Caroline’s World!
Caroline sees Claudia and waves. Caroline says to Claudia, hi can you please help me? I need to get this baby calf back to the barn. Claudia helps by guiding the calf from behind.
Before Caroline can play she must help with the chores. Claudia wants to help too and brings a basket of corn and squash from the garden. Caroline is almost done cutting the lemons.
Finally the girls can play. Sarah and Hannah join Caroline for a game of jump rope. It is Caroline’s turn to jump in, will she make it?
When evening comes, the girls get a chance to show off their talents. Caroline plays the piano, Claudia plays the flute, Hannah loves to sew and Sarah loves to read. This is the relaxing time of the day.
The girls are best friends. They gathered together for a group portrait, something they can share forever.
Here is a close up of the “Friends Forever” in Caroline’s World.
Thank you for sharing your amazing doll transformations, finds and stories with us today Diana!! We always look forward to what is new from you!
I love Jessica, she’s so cute! I love the curls in her hair! The photostory is adorable as well!
Aw, I love the gotz doll in the top picture!
Beautiful dolls and great deals.
Jessica is soo pretty ( once her hair gets fixed, anyway )!!! Her hair looks so nice!! : )
Diana- we both have a love of resorting things to there former glory, and i love that about you!
(P.S. do you like Caroline? is her hair hard and can you style it?)
This is super cute!
I love my Carolina!
Juliet – I have Caroline and she is AMAZING! she’s REALLY photogenic. I can style is easily, but then it tends to go in knots when you take it out. Which isn’t bad for me because I’m good with curly hair.
French fishtails, dutch braids, and starburst braids are really fun to do on her hair.
Great pictures and story, Diana! Love Claudia’s green dress – so cute! My Caroline would like one, too. Where were you able to find it?
hey hey doll fans! guess where I’m going on next saturday!
Well done, again, again, and again!!!
Juliet, I never use curling irons on doll hair curls, I just use old fashion plastic rollers with clips, or my fingers. Caroline’s hair can be styled and curls easily, but since it is so long it tends to have fly away hair as soon as you move her alot. You do need a lot of patience with her hair.
Kathy- The green dress was made by me. I made it a little while ago for my Caroline’s collection.
Char thank you for posting these and thank you all for your lovely comments.
Wonderful transformations, Diana, as always. When you use the old fashioned plastic rollers to curl a doll’s hair, are these “human” rollers available from regular stores or are they the AG rollers for dolls. I have never actually seen the latter so am not sure what they are like.
The photo story was great–so cheering to see the dolls working and playing together in their period fashions and settings.
well did you guess yet??
AG?
What’s Char guessing?
never mind, i saw the comment, i vote somewhere Disney or AGP
I think AGP 😀
Diana – awesome! So love what you do with your dolls! Cute mini story and pics too! Thanks! : )
Thanks for the answer, Diana. You are very talented.
Cordelia, The rollers are human and can be found at the dollar store, they are the black colored ones which are perfect size for dolls.
So cute!
ur so amazing Diana!! you really have a great gift.
yep you guessed it!! AG Mall of America!!!!! what should I get??
If you are aloud to get a doll you should get saige or #57.
Bailey~ i think its the AGP!!! if it isnt then idk lol.
Cool! I love Jessica!
Awesome!!
wonder girl strikes again!
The tap outfit isn’t from Marisol’s collection, it’s a Just Like You outfit.
@Bailey Have you been there bef
I meant to say, have you been there before? If not, it’s awesome. I’m going in July
Diana PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me your secret!!!!!!!
Thank you,Diana. I will look for them the next time at the dollar store.
i love the doll hoispidaL
I was just looking at your hair links and I got inspired, so I ran and grabbed McKenna, three bobby pins and a ponytailer….let the fun begin!!! :0)
Here’s what I did with McKenna’s lovely locks:(you must try this it looks so cool in the end but make sure your doll has below-the-shoulders-hair)
Start by separating your dolls hair into three parts and separating those parts into three parts and braiding those parts and then braiding them all together. Confusing??? Maybe I can send pictures. 🙂
I am going to a ag place on Saturday
Baliey- Get Garnet. I went to the AG place and got Saige’s accessories, and her Painting Set( which was out of stock). I got Garnet too, and he is super cute and soft!! I love him.
You are really great at restoring dolls, Diana!
Wow! Wowieeee! I can’t believe it! Gooood work!!!
Awesome rescues! Caroline is gorgeous, she is the newest member of my doll family, but her HAIR!! It gets frizzy just by existing! This, of course, is not a problem for Diana the miracle worker 🙂
Diana always does a fabulous job!
By the way, does anyone have advice regarding doll naming? I’m trying to name my doll (there’s a picture on my blog if you’re interested), but I’m really stuck.
very pretty dolls and dresses!
P.S. I love the scenes and photostory!
I have a gotz doll that looks just like that.
Morgan- which one is #57??
Sabrina- yes that is where I got my first ag doll for my birthday in 2011!
AGMcKenna94- I do not think that I will get garnet but I am saving my money so just maybe 😉
Abbi- which one??