As the year winds down, its fun to look back at some of the best of 2006. Marie Osmond Dolls had a banner year, centering on a big celebration for Marie Osmond Doll's 15th Anniversary. I think that this year's dolls truly shined, thanks to beautiful sculpting and costuming that displayed that elusive "something special." You'll also see lots of innovative ideas in my top 10 dolls, plus a good dose of whimsy and elegance. So, here they are, my Top 10 Marie Osmond Dolls for 2006!
1. Crystal
Sculpted by Sonja Bryer, Crystal is the official 15th Anniversary Doll (crystal being the traditional gift for a 15th anniversary) for Marie Osmond Dolls. Released in August, she was limited to 4000 dolls, and she has an exceptionally pretty face, set off by her crown of...what else...crystals.
2. My Friend
As part of Marie's celebration of her company's 15th year, Marie dedicated 2006 to her collector friends and friendship. The My Friend doll was issued to commemorate this and as a thank you to Marie's collector friends. This large porcelain toddler doll came with a Tiny Tot of itself (which will never be sold separately) which you could give to a collector friend of yours (if you were lucky, your friend also bought My Friend and could give YOU their Tiny Tot!). This doll was sculpted by Karen Scott and limited to only 1500 pieces. This doll was a February release.
3. Little Red Riding Hood
There have been many Little Red Riding Hood dolls made by many doll companies. What sets Marie's Little Red Riding Hood apart is that the entire story is told on her dress! The story is told using unique, precise felt cut-outs from a new technology, which creates the story, in felt "pictures" on the dress. Little Red Riding Hood is sculpted by Lisa Hatch. She was released in a limited edition of 2,000 dolls, and she is the first doll in the "Once Upon a Dress" series.
4. Friendship, Birthday and Christmas Keepsake Dolls
The best thing about this sweet little series of dolls is the price! Not everyone can afford a $150.00 Marie Osmond Toddler Doll. Of course, there has always been the reasonably priced Tiny Tot series (generally priced at $39.99) but now there is also the Keepsake line of standing 9" porcelain dolls. For 2006, Marie released Keepsake Friendship, Keepsake Birthday and Keepsake Christmas. Priced at just $29.99 suggested retail, the dolls have been very popular with collectors. They also have a nice quality for the price!
5. Adora Belle 100
Adora Belle got a complete makeover in 2006. Marie Osmond Dolls made 99 versions of the original Adora Belle doll since 1997, and they decided that for 2006 it was time to update Adora Belle's sculpt. What better time could there be to introduce a new, updated Adora Belle than the release of the 100th doll? Adora Belle 100 was the first Marie doll to have the new sculpt. No future dolls will be made with the old, retired sculpt, which adds to the collectibility of the original design. The new sculpt is slimmer and sleeker than the original. Adora Belle 100 is a porcelain Adora Belle.
To truly appreciate Boo Boo Baby, it helps to know a bit about the history of dolls. There have been several antique and vintage dolls made which have two or three faces...turn the face around, and your doll can be happy, sad, or crying. Boo Boo Baby is made in the tradition of these dolls! She has two faces, one happy and one sad. The back of her head is covered by a bonnet. You can turn the doll's face around to match your mood! Boo Boo Baby was sculpted by Jo Ann Pohman and was limited to 1,500 pieces.
7. Baby Adora Belle Tiny Tot
I could easily nominate the entire Tiny Tot line here...but, I wanted to pick one of my favorites. Baby Adora Belle Tiny Tot is, truly, adorable. The sculpt on this one is just right..as cute as Baby Adora Belle is as a toddler, shrunk down to a Tiny Tot she is e extra cute! Sculpted by Marie Osmond, she is an open edition and she holds her own little white "Baby Adora Belle" bear.
8. Sasha
I've got Sasha on this list because collectors absolutely loved her. An instant sell-out, Sasha is a large (24 inch) standing toddler, sculpted by Rachel Scott, the daughter of Marie Osmond Dolls sculptor Karen Scott! Limited to only 500 dolls, Sasha is already hard to find, although she was released in November of 2006.
9. Holly Hobbie Holiday
If you grew up in the 1970s, chances are you loved Holly Hobbie. Well, Holly Hobbie is back, and Marie Osmond Dolls has the license to make some fantastic, new Holly Hobbie dolls! My favorite is the Holly Hobbie Holiday. Sculpted by Ping Lau and Eddy Mosqueda, Holly Hobbie Holiday is perfectly attired in a red and white checked dress and green, velvety outer coat, with red mittens, a scarf and white fur hand-muff. She is limited to 5,000 pieces.
10. What's Cookin' Tiny Tot
Finally, another Tiny Tot makes my list. This one actually sneaks in because of her tie-in with Marie's new cookbook, Food, Fun and Friends. Together they make the perfect gift (for a friend...or for yourself! What's Cookin! Comes dressed in red and white with a chef's hat and rolling pin. Sculpted by Jo Ann Pohlman, she is an open edition. <p> That completes my Top 10 Marie Osmond Dolls for 2006. Whether you agree with me or not that these are her top dolls for the year, I think you'll agree that the year has been an outstanding one for Marie Osmond Dolls. I can't wait to see what they have in store for 2007!
