***Poppets & Posies 100th Post!***
I have wanted a Kirsten doll since 1996 when I was introduced to my first Pleasant Company catalog. As a Danish/Norwegian girl myself who grew up in Minnesota, I absolutely loved her Swedish/Scandinavian inspired design touches and her midwestern pioneer storyline. And I loved her quirky looped braids even more. Even though I purchased many of Kirsten's outfits throughout the years, I never ordered the doll. Then her archival was announced in 2009 and I decided to let her go quietly.
Until today!
Kirsten is a charmer even still secured in her box. I do not know her exact production year, but this NIB Kirsten was probably originally bought after her archival announcement in 2009 and kept to be sold at a much later date.
Her apron is crisp and pristine and those braids will never be quite that perfect ever again. Sigh!
This is not news to Kirsten Larson fans, but the boots with her meet outfit are rudimentary at best.
One last loving look! Once she is out of the box she really joins my poppet family!
Kirsten!
So why now some may ask. I had hoped for Kirsten to reappear out of the archives as part of the BeForever line, but with Maryellen arriving the end of August 2015 and the announcement of a new (not previously archived) 2016 BeForever doll, the best I believe I can reasonably hope for is a return of Kirsten in the fall of 2017. Or never.
Never is too long! Actually, another big reason for this leap is that I've collected the majority of Kirsten Larson's collection and while I have had other dolls stand in to wear some of her outfits, I wanted to finally unite the collection with the doll who inspired it.
A closeup of her perfect braid and ribbon for posterity--and reference for when I inevitably mess up her hair.
I am pleased with the short hairs on the back of her wig. Plenty of coverage and an even feathered pattern.
Her pantalettes are edges with eyelet. But take a gander at those galoompus boots!
Shall we revel in these galoompus meet boots for a moment before they are removed from her feet and never worn again? Vinyl, shapeless, an awkward seam up the center of the foot, no finished upper edges, a lazy hole punched for the laces, and a flimsy moccasin-like sole. Added to this list of frustration is that these "boots" do nothing to help stabilize her while standing. I will quickly be putting Kirsten's black lace-up boots on her feet.
As reviews go, the Kirsten Larson doll is an A+++. I don't care about the meet boots, they are easy and relatively inexpensive to replace with her black lace-up boots.
Finally, here at Poppets & Posies all our poppets are given their own name. A happy and enthusiastic welcome to Kristianna!
Fantastic tribute to Kirsten. I have a Mattel Kirsten myself and she's so beautiful. Her skin is luminous and her hair like amber waves of grain. I'm glad you finally added her to your family. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Photo 6 is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI have had Kirsten since 2009 and rebraided her this year. No they are not the same as when she came right out of the box, but passable. [Mostly I blame the stupid Velcro on everything! Catches the bottom of the loop almost every time, even when being super careful changing her outfit.]
The boots...I don't think they are that bad. My girls wear them a lot. I think of it this way - children in pioneer days rarely had shoes, so she is one step above. [Yes, Laura Ingalls and her sister had better.] These got her to the new world and would be passed along to someone else as she grew. Her red boots are only slightly better (but would go with most of her outfits). Her Two-Toned boots look to be nice, but seem too new for a pioneer family. I do wish I had picked up her shoes and socks set before archival...those black boots look pretty good.
Congratulations on adding Kirsten to your collection and getting her out of the box earlier than planned. :)
~Xyra
Lovely doll...Kristen was my favorite growing up. I really really REALLY hope they bring her back someday as I also missed out on her when she was available. Congratulations on your new Kristianna! :)
ReplyDelete