May 31, 2014

Out With the Old or "A Ditcher's Dilemma"



Some decisions are hard to make.

If this vintage Patti Playpal doll hadn't just stood in the corner of our bedroom collecting dust for, what, two years? (I don't even remember) then MAYBE I could have argued in favor of keeping her.

Then again, what's a 34" vinyl doll supposed to do -- tap dance?



Frankly, Patti has always spooked Michael and the dogs.



Also, she has always had a big crack in her left upper thigh which I never even tried to repair.



Adieu, ma petite!

Remember these bolts of fabric I salvaged from the trash outside the High School of Fashion Design last winter?  Well they've sat on our balcony getting even grimier ever since. 



Finally this week I dumped them in the clothing/fabric receptacle near my house and I'm 99% certain they got fished out within minutes by a very determined-looking Vietnamese woman who gasped and waved frantically just as I was releasing the dumpster door.  Timing is everything.

I was very proud of myself for making these difficult ditching decisions.

I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit that I also acquired a few things this week.

This bucket hat, camp shirt, and shorts pattern, McCalls 2205.  I bought it for the hat.



This book on vintage fabric (primarily 1940's/50's barkcloth) -- a Salvation Army find.













Then there are these two loaners from the library:

The first is the book Pattern Magic: Stretch Fabrics.   Honesty, I don't think there are too many people who could pull off these outfits.









Also the DVD, Behind the Candalabra.  Lurid but expertly cast and very well acted.  True Liberace fans may wince.



Finally, an impulse purchase today at the flea market: this amazing beaded necklace -- too cheap to leave behind and quite the statement; it's made up of 96 strands!  Whether I'll wear it or pass it along to Cathy, I'm not sure.











And that's it!

I'm a little sad about poor Patti, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Have a great day, everybody, and don't forget to tune in tomorrow for my very first vlog post!

32 comments:

  1. I've gotten attached to seeing Patti Playpal in the background of the photos - perhaps she could stay. . .

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  2. You got me laughing so hard, I don't know where to start!

    I love the double shot of you as a sheikh (?) at the end. And the pattern magic white t-shirt dude looks like my son most mornings.

    Thanks for 25 posts in May! Made my month.

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  3. You, the toile turban and the beads are a priceless combination! I wish I had that fabric book. It brings back memories of the decor of my childhood.

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  4. Have to say that first glance at Patti gave me an uneasy feeling too! Poor Patti with a fractured hip.....on the necklace; I like it best with your turban!

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  5. I hope you sent Patti to rehab; she looks like a drug addict. The Pattern Magic designs are weird, but those books really gave me insight into patternmaking and manipulation.

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  6. The doll's head is at such an unfortunate angle, sort of menacing. Does she ever wake at midnight and wander around?

    Ceci

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  7. Love the '50s fabric book. Such great design.

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  8. The Pattern magic cover looks like a hippo head for a sleeve.

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  9. I don't know how Michael and the dogs put up with that doll.....yikes...34"!!!

    And I liked those fabrics.

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  10. Love that necklace, especially with turban, very roz russell in The Women. That bark cloth is great.

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  11. In my imagination, if you had fixed her cracked leg, she would have been restored ...and would have come to life in the night and ridden into your bedroom on Willy's back. Terrifying!

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    1. She's MUCH bigger than Willy, Suzanne. This is part of her horror factor.

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    2. Stop Mike!! I'm on the floor!! LOL!!!

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  12. I loved that movie. I think Michael Douglas did an awesome job - of playing a complicated, creepy guy! And Matt Damon is also excellent. And they had real chemistry. But it was lurid! :-) IMO, not enough lurid movies these days.

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  13. If you haven't tossed her yet, I will take that spooky doll off your hands for you. Seriously! Let me know.

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  14. You don't think she will take revenge out on you for ditching her?

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  15. "My name is talking Tina and I'm going to kill you."
    Omg, I could never ever have that doll in my home, good riddance I say!

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    1. I think Talking Tina is her 2nd cousin. The expression of that actress at the end of the episode was priceless!

      As for what Michael does for love; "Sondheim meets Sterling" would barely begin to encompass his experience.

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    2. Sorry, "Sondheim meets Serling".

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  16. I always struggled to understand what the idea behind Patti is. Was she marketed as a toy for really really lonely but imaginative kids?

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  17. She wouldn't have a chance against those chihuahuas! Get them riled up and you're mincemeat!! LOL!!

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  18. I agree with all of the ditches except that wonderful book with the photos of the 50's fabric-- maybe that should be a give away for whoever wins the next pattern-naming contest.

    *Love* the turban/beads look!

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  19. Patti freaks me out too, so I'm glad she's gone.

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  20. That necklace/turban is so Norma Desmond. You got a William Holden Drinking Helmet to go with it?

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  21. Love the necklace! Very nice find.

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  22. Pattern Magic - Stretch Fabrics does include some pretty wacky designs, I agree (I personally prefer the other two books) but some are perfectly wearable or can easily be adapted to wearable garments. I made a t-shirt using the sleeve treatment on the cover myself

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  23. I don't find dolls creepy ... usually! If you donate Patti to a charity shop I expect to see her again in thrifthorror.com or a serial killer show as a suspect

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  24. I love Liberace, and I winced. Michael Douglas has too many sharp edges to play him.

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  25. Ok, that tee shirt was inspired by Beavis and Butthead and the Great Cornholio. Ridiculous and hilarious.

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  26. Hope you at least eBayed her! Crack and all she's worth some decent money with her original clothes and hang tag and there are collectors (like me!) out there who love her!

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