Happy Monday!

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to say "hello" and wish you all a happy Monday. :)  Today is pretty full, so I won't have time to post.  I should have something new sometime tomorrow, though. :)

In the meantime, enjoy my new header and have a great week! :)

Farewell to Strawberry Shortcake Week

I hope you all enjoyed the Strawberry Shortcake theme this week as much as I did. :)  It was so much fun to look back at such a special character and how she's changed through the years. :)

I had hoped to wrap up the week with a review of one of each of the TV specials/episodes from each of the eras, but I just wasn't able to pull it off.  Part of that was due to the fact that I was unexpectedly asked to sing at a memorial service today (they asked me on Thursday), and I ended up without a piano player or an accompaniment track that is not full of drums (which wouldn't work in our church).  The rest of this morning will be devoted to practicing "The Wind Beneath My Wings" a cappella so that I can sound like I know what I'm doing. :}

Since I couldn't go into the TV episodes in detail, I thought I would link to the Wikipedia pages about them in case anyone was interested in learning about them.  (I've found Wikipedia to be very helpful for info about TV shows and such.)  For those of you who would like to watch them, many of the episodes can be found on YouTube.  Just a little warning, though:  "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" this is not. ;)  I didn't grow up with the SSC cartoons, so I don't have any particular nostalgia attached to them, and most of them (regardless of the era) I find either really corny or sickly-sweet.  Some of the characters are really annoying, too (especially Honey Pie Pony from the 2003 show and Mr. Longface and the bratty ladybug sisters from "Berry Bitty Adventures").

Let's put it this way.  "My Little Pony: FIM" I watch whether my girls are home or not.  I only watch Strawberry Shortcake when the girls pick it for their movie. ;)

For those of you who really enjoy the cartoons, I apologize if this opinion offends you.  Some of the cartoons are pretty clever, and my girls enjoy them a lot.  They're just not my cup of tea. ;)

Anyway, here are the links to the different shows.

-1980s TV Specials

-2003 TV Series

-Sweet Dreams Movie

-Berry Bitty Adventures

This is not show-related, but I also thought I'd use this post to share a link to some pics from The Bridge Direct's Strawberry Shortcake display at the Toy Fair.  This will give you an idea of some of the other releases we have to look forward to in the coming months. :)  (For those of you who are interested, you can see this and several other links on my Toy Fair 2014 Pinterest Board.)  

-The Bridge Direct SSC Toy Fair Gallery

I guess that's about all for Strawberry Shortcake week!  Next week, we'll be back to other reviews and such. :)  Talk to you then!

Strawberry Shortcake San Diego Comic Con Doll

I thought that I might as well go ahead and do my more detailed review post of my Strawberry Shortcake doll from Comic Con, since it is in keeping with the week's theme. ;)

To the best of my knowledge, this particular doll was only available at the San Diego Comic Con in 2010.  I was thrilled to find one of my own on eBay earlier this year for a good price. :) 

The review will be a little short since I'm not planning on deboxing this doll.  I hope you understand. ;)

The box was sealed in plastic.  I'm not sure if this side is the front or the back, but I usually display this side facing out, since it shows a photo of the doll.

One side

This is most likely the front of the box, but I still prefer having the photo side out. ;)

Other side

The top of the box.

The bottom of the box.

I decided that I would go ahead and remove the plastic, because then I could at least open the box flaps and look at my doll.  There didn't seem to be much point in keeping a doll I could never look at. ;)

This is the side of the box that opens.

The top flap has a strawberry-shaped hole that fits around the pink strawberry, which is slightly raised.

The flap with the raised strawberry opens on the other side.

Here's adorable Strawberry Shortcake! :D

She has an outfit that has much more detail than her play line counterparts.  I didn't get a good picture of her hat alone, but it is a knit pink hat with cat ears.  

Here's a closer look at her dress.  Notice the red strawberry at her collar, the ruffles on her shirt, her fancy strawberry apron, her little strawberry charms, and the dotted overlay of her skirt.

It was hard to get a good picture through the box, but she also has a cute Custard charm hanging on her apron.

She has her traditional green and white striped tights, and adorable "fuzzy" pink plastic boots.

And speaking of Custard, here she is!  As I shared in my last post, I don't believe that Custard was ever made for the play dolls produced by Hasbro.  Custard is one of my favorite parts of this set.

This version of Strawberry Shortcake has identical face paint to the regular play line Hasbro SSC doll.

I'm not going to do my rating system for this doll since she's in the box, so this pretty much wraps up the review. ;)  I'm very happy to have this doll in my collection, and I'm hoping I'll be able to stay strong and not fully debox her. ;)  If I do cave in the future and release her from her prison, I'll be sure to share some pics on the blog. ;)  Even in her box, though, she's adorable and enjoyable.  I would highly recommend her for any Strawberry Shortcake fan.

My Strawberry Shortcake Collection

When I was a little girl growing up in the 80s, Strawberry Shortcake was one of my favorite characters, right up there with My Little Pony. ;)  Even though I never had any of the small dolls, I did have a few other Strawberry Shortcake items, and even had a Strawberry Shortcake-themed birthday party on my third birthday (as I shared in my previous post).  So I guess it's no surprise that Strawberry Shortcake dolls and toys eventually worked their way in with my other collections. :)

Here are some pictures from my collection, obtained mostly through eBay and thrift stores.  I also have some SSC tins, books, and other items, but for today I thought I'd focus on the dolls and figures.

Kenner: 

Here is my entire collection from the Kenner era.

Back row:  Angel Cake figure, Burrito (Cafe Ole's pet), Custard (Strawberry Shortcake's pet), Jelly Bear (Butter Cookie's pet).  Figures in front:  Mint Tulip and Marsh Mallard, Cherry Cuddler and Gooseberry, Apple Dumplin' (on her sled).

Back row (next to Jelly Bear):  Blueberry Muffin figure, Hopsalot (Apricot's pet), Lime Chiffon figure, Souffle Skunk (Angel Cake's pet).  Figures in front:  Lemon Meringue, Lemon Meringue with Frappe Frog, Apricot with Hopsalot, Strawberry Shortcake.

Strawberry Shortcake, Apple Dumplin', Orange Blossom with Marmalade (in box)

Lemon Meringue and Huckleberry Pie

One of my more recent finds was this adorable Kenner Orange Blossom doll, still in the box.  Someone on eBay was getting rid of her, and I got her for a very reasonable price.

Other views of the box:

Most of my figures came with this "Wonderful World of Strawberry Shortcake" display case.  My mom and I found this at our local mall when there was an antique show there.

The display case unlatches and opens.

It has two shelves and cute artwork on the back wall.

Each of the shelves has these little pegs...

...and each of the figures has a little hole in the bottom.  The holes fit over the pegs to hold the figures in place.

Kenner Wishlist:

 -Pupcake (for Huckleberry Pie)

 -Frappe Frog (for Lemon Meringue)

 -Tea Time Turtle (for Apple Dumplin')

 -Angel Cake doll (for Souffle Skunk)

THQ:

This is my one and only item from the THQ line.  :)  I actually was never that interested in the THQ releases, but my mom found this adorable Lime Chiffon, still in her package, at an antique store, and I thought she'd be a fun addition to my collection.

She comes with an extra outfit.

It was really neat seeing the back of her box and all of the stock photos there.

There's the blow-kiss doll I had on the right! :)

THQ Wishlist:

 -Any of the Strawberry Shortcakes from this line (deboxed) :)

Bandai:

My Bandai collection is fairly small, too.  I have Strawberry Shortcake and her pet cat Custard (purchased on eBay), Apple Dumplin', and a "Berry Sweet Wearables" Strawberry Shortcake and strawberry charm (all found at Goodwill).

Bandai Wishlist:

 -One character (doesn't matter who) still in the box :)

Playmates:

I don't actually have any Playmates Strawberry Shortcake dolls yet, but Oldest Gal has started collecting them.  Here are her two dolls.  This used to be one of my least favorite lines, but it's grown on me after my research. ;)  Since I now have at least one doll from every other line, I've decided I'd like to find at least one Playmates doll to join the party. :) 

Playmates Wishlist:

 -Flavor Swirl Strawberry Shortcake (to debox)

 -One other character (doesn't matter which) NIB

Hasbro:

The Hasbro line is one of my very favorites, so I have a lot from this era. :)  (It helped that this was the line that was still available in stores when I started collecting.) ;)

Lemon Meringue, Orange Blossom, Strawberry Shortcake

Blueberry Muffin, Plum Pudding

This is one of my most exciting dolls of the collection.  Raspberry Torte was only produced two times by Hasbro in this size, and as such is super hard to find (you can easily pay $50 or more for a Raspberry Torte in good shape on eBay).  This particular doll was in a lot on eBay for a great price.  I'm so happy to have all six of the friends in both sizes! :)

Lemon Meringue, Orange Blossom, Strawberry Shortcake

Raspberry Torte (another rare figure), Blueberry Muffin, Plum Pudding

Plum Pudding, Strawberry Shortcake, Custard, Orange Blossom, and Lemon Meringue figures.  I'd love to eventually find the Raspberry Torte and Blueberry Muffin figures that go with these. :)  The Custard actually goes with the posable figures, but I put her in front so she would be more visible.

This is my amazing San Diego Comic Con exclusive Strawberry Shortcake doll from 2010, purchased on eBay after the fact.  

The box has a shiny strawberry icon and opens with two flaps that fit over each other.

I love this doll because of her incredibly detailed outfit and accessories.  Plus, she has Custard with her!  To the best of my knowledge, Custard was never produced for this size doll in the Hasbro play line.

I have a lot of pictures of this particular doll, but I'll save them for another review post.

Hasbro Wishlist:

 -Blueberry Muffin and Raspberry Torte figures to go with my others

 -Bloomin' Berry Garden Orange Blossom (still in the box)

The Bridge Direct:

Strawberry Shortcake is my only doll from this era so far.  I don't have a wishlist yet.  I'd like to see what else they come up with first! :)  I'd love it if they'd release a non-rock star Raspberry Torte doll, since she has my favorite scent (and the rock star Raspberry Torte doll still smelled yummy).

The Whole Gang:

Collecting Strawberry Shortcake dolls is something I really enjoy.  It brings me back to my childhood and how much I loved SSC then. :)  I love the bright colors and yummy scents these dolls have.

I'm excited to see what the future will hold for the line.  Hopefully, the dolls from The Bridge Direct will be successful and Strawberry Shortcake will continue to delight little girls for years to come. :)