In 2004, I bought 3 Tonner Mary Engelbreit dolls: Queen Ann Estelle, Sunshine Sophie and Basic Sophie. Four years later, when I was totally wrapped up in ABJD's, I sold them in order to be able to purchase an SD Souldoll Byeol (who ended up being Catherine). As much as I love Catherine, and as much as Samantha enjoys having her big sis around, I eventually came to regret selling my AE's. I love the early ones without the bending knees. I likes how easily I could plunk them down and get them to stand up and not have to be posed carefully to do it. I loved having a huge assortment of patterns from the web and in books that I could use to sew for her - without having to do a lot of adjustments. My AE's had fantastic thick wigs, and I didn't have to worry about messing up fragile eyelashes. Don't get me wrong, I love the beauty of BJD's, but for a perfect travel doll, Ann Estelle just can't be beat - not too big to carry, not too small to get lost in a photo, not to fragile. Ann was my perfect doll. I sold her. I regretted it. I missed Ann (and my Sohpies, too).
This month, I finally decided to ignore the glitz of the latest "new and shiny" doll, and fix a mistake I made 4 years ago. I found another Ann Estelle, and brought her home. I found a 1999 Classic Sailor Ann Estelle on eBay. After a few days of trying to decide, I hit the "BIN" button. The seller was excellent - a 6:30 AM purchase on a Tuesday was here by 2 on Thursday! All her accessories were unopened, in the box. Of course, I never leave a doll in a box, so here's Ann Estelle. I like the box, so I will probably keep it, something I rarely do.
Life is good!
