Our recent thrifting adventures have resulted in a few…. childish…. acquisitions.
The first is this lovely lady.
She was only $5 and I just couldn’t resist her. When I was in my early teens, I talked Mom into getting a series of crochet patterns from Annie’s Attic. They were all elaborate Victorian Barbie dress – one for each month. She never did end up actually makin them (though I think she still has the patterns), but I was always enchanted by them. As soon as I saw this – I thought immediately of those patterns. I just had to bring her home.
This particular Barbie is actually Mrs. P.F.E. Albee – the first Avon Lady. I just love all the little details
Especially those shoes!
She now graces the top of Dave’s latest radio restoration (another thrift store find).
The radio is a 1932 RCA. It was just a shell – all the original electronics gone – so Dave put a modern system inside it (completely with blue tooth) that sounds amazing. I think Mis. Albee looks right at home there.
For the next thrift, we’ve gone even smaller.
Yep. A dollhouse. I have been fascinated by dollhouses since I was little. I had the Mattel Littles Dollhouse as a child, but I’d always admired the fancy wooden ones. I’ve wanted to have my own dollhouse for years now. And we actually almost bought a big one at the ReStore about six months ago. But it was way too big.
We came across this on Tuesday at the Goodwill in Sarnia. And the size is perfect. Not too big, not to small.
And… it’s was hard to argue with that price.
It’s around 3 feet tall, and as you can see, has a nice arrangement of rooms. Obviously it needs some work (Dave’s already pulled off all the broken gingerbread and is looking at replacements.), but we have to decide what style we want do do it in? Classic Victorian? Nature loving Bohemian? Full on Gothic Haunted? And then I have to find the time to actually do the renos!
Oh well, what’s one more hobby?
Wandering Cat Studio 
Oh, my goodness! I’ve seen that Barbie being auctioned off on eBay before. She is a real beauty. What a find. Be warned that this is how you end up with a room full of Barbies. Their marketing folks are genius. My advice is to stay off eBay. All it takes is one look at the other dolls in that series and the next thing you know you’ve bought them all….lol.
As for the doll house, I wish I had the photos to show you the one my dad made for Daughter. It looks just like yours. My parents made one for all the granddaughters and filled them with the most exquisite tiny furnishings. I had to take it apart and put it in the attic when we moved here since I didn’t have the space for it. I haven’t thought of it in years.
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For the doll house, can you keep it more generic and then dress it up for each season? That might be fun.
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I remember the Victorian dress patterns from Annie’s Attic! This new doll is so very pretty–I’m surprised it has survived so long! The new doll house will be a very fun project–enjoy!
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Her ankles are showing…Victorian’s would have swooned!
Hahahaha!
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What wonderful thrifting finds! Looking forward to seeing the dollhouse evolve.
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Love all the finds! I have wanted to get Squish a doll house, but Wreck it Rowdy would just destroy it, so I will wait and watch my local GW to see if I can find one.
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Such wonderful thrift finds! Love the doll and her shoes. The doll house is wonderful. I always wanted one.
I got my computer out of the computer hospital today. Fingers crossed I can comment here again. š
Blessings,
Betsy
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It wouldn’t let me comment yesterday so I’ll try again today.
I really love your thrifty finds … the first Avon lady … wow!
And yeah … who doesn’t need another hobby LOL
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