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My Vintage Barbie and Her Handmade Wardrobe
I have a vintage, original Barbie Doll from 1959. She has managed to retain her remarkable physique while I have morphed from a chubby child to a healthy young woman back to a chubby curmudgeon. Three generations of storytelling girls have played with her: me, my daughter, and my granddaughter. The doll remains perfectly proportioned and ageless as I cope with trying to find my buried belly button.
Mattel has sold more than one billion Barbie Dolls around the world. The current hit Barbie Movie is the latest creation to capitalize on the franchise. Barbie-branded products included not only the range of dolls with their clothes and accessories, but also a large range of branded goods such as books, apparel, cosmetics, video games and audiovisual content.
Because I’m a chubby curmudgeon, I have no intention of seeing the movie. It’s a box office hit, but I’d rather sit on my patio with a summer cocktail than wear a garish pink outfit and share a theatre with squealing girls wearing pink uniforms. Besides, I already have my own Ken Doll.
My maternal grandmother, Olive Curry Morrison, was an excellent seamstress, and she loved to crochet. She made outfits for my Barbie Doll, and I still have more than 40 pieces of her wardrobe. The styles were handmade and include sweaters, skirts, coats, and perky hats. My mother saved each outfit in separate plastic bags because “they were too nice to play with.” So, I still have them, and most have never been used. I also have two original Barbie outfits: a ski outfit complete with boots and a tennis outfit that includes a tennis racket.
My grandchildren no longer play with Barbie Dolls. What should I do with her precious wardrobe? Sell it? Donate it? No one would appreciate how my grandmother lovingly hand-stitched hems and sewed buttons and snaps. She spent hours with her crochet needles and antique treadle sewing machine to create lovely pieces for one reason: To please me, her granddaughter.
As the Barbie mania continues, I hope to share this vintage collection with someone who will appreciate the talent and kindness of my Grandma Morrison. My vintage Barbie Doll is not for sale. I’m saving her for my youngest granddaughter’s high school graduation. Maybe the doll will be worth enough to help with college expenses. Vintage dolls and grandmothers retain their value.
Here’s a video showing my Barbie’s wardrobe: IMG_0117
Cheers to Grandma Morrison.
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Puppets Play at the Summer Festival in McCall
Granddaddy, Aunt Olga, Lady Delilah, and Jessie Jo from Idaho shared jokes, stories, songs, and humor at the Moudy Mountain Summer Festival this summer near McCall, Idaho. They were joined by their intrepid handler, Elaine Ambrose.
Children were eager to learn how to make the puppets “talk.”
Fun with Granny and Grandkids: 30 Activities without the Internet
Calling all grandparents! Let’s seize the day and organize positive adventures with our grandchildren. A new website describes 30 activities to share without using the Internet. (Caveat: Grandparents will need access to this website.) We’ll limit time on personal electronic devices, keep to an inexpensive budget, and tutor grandchildren to draw or write in a journal. Suggestions will include age requirements and a supply list.
The website is called Midlife Happy Hour, sponsored by the Award-Winning Book of the same name.
This website was created to offer suggestions for family-friendly activities between grandparents and grandchildren. In my opinion, in addition to food, shelter, clothing, and medical care, children need unconditional love, positive guidance, knowledge of tradition, and a secure sense of family. Children are constantly bombarded with mixed messages, negative images, and exaggerated warnings to make them fearful and confused. A good walk barefoot in the grass can bring relaxation and connection.
As grandparents, we can provide a distraction from the chaos. These activities will create a legacy of memories for three generations: grandparents, parents, and grandchildren. The children will learn about their heritage and discover how they fit into their families and into the community. Come along on this journey. Prepare to connect with your grandchildren and learn from each other. We’re eager to be grandparents, and we’re proud of our grandchildren.
Grandparents provide an important part of a child’s life. Grandparents are a link to family traditions, history, stories, and recipes. They also have a vested interest in their grandchildren and want to leave positive memories for the children to pass on to future generations. The suggested activities on this website prove children can have fun without the Internet or personal devices. These 30 activities include playdates to cook, sew, walk in the grass, create crafts, and sing songs. Through loving and fun activities, we can improve generational communication and leave the world a better place.
The logo for Granny Pride Month shows three leaves representing the continued growth of three generations through the cycle of life.
Grandparent Role: Prepare a comfortable, safe environment. Promise snacks. Remind them no electronic devices are allowed during the activity. Encourage a daily journal for drawing or writing.
Grandchildren Role: Have fun. Don’t pout.
Take Me on Vacation this Summer!
For summer reading, please consider my books, eBooks, and audiobooks. The books have won 26 prestigious writing awards in three genres: humor, memoir, and children’s books. My books feature authentic storytelling, they have never been banned, they are reusable, and the books don’t need batteries or electronic chargers. All of them were written in Idaho and published in the USA.
Most of these books, eBooks, and audiobooks are described on the Amazon Author Page, but they also can be ordered from local bookstores and independent distributors. Or, bring some wine to my home and I’ll sign a free book!
The audiobooks are listed on Elaine Ambrose – Audio Books, Best Sellers, Author Bio | Audible.com.
The eBooks are listed on the author’s profile on BookBub.
Melody’s Magical Flying Machine
This children’s book about a spirited girl with Down syndrome won the winner of the 2021 New York City Big Book Distinguished Favorite Award for Children’s Fiction. Winner of Silver Medal for Children’s Fiction from Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. Winner of 2021 Independent Press Distinguished Favorite Award for Children’s Fiction. Kirkus Reviews wrote that the book is “A joyful, well-told story that celebrates the power of imagination.” The book is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Published by Brown Books Kids.
Won 2019 Distinguished Favorite for Memoir from Independent Press Awards. Won Distinguished Favorite from the New York City Big Book Awards program. Available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. Published by Brown Books Publishing Group.
This collection of children’s stories won the 2018 Distinguished Favorite Award for Children’s Fiction from the Independent Press Awards. The book is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 
This bilingual children’s book won the 2017 Silver Medal for Children’s Literature from Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards program. The book was adopted by the Idaho State Board of Education for the statewide curriculum. The book is available in paperback and eBook. 
Finalist for 2016 “Book of the Year for Humor” from ForeWord Magazine. Won Gold Medal for Midlife and Silver Medal for Humor from Independent Press Awards. Foreword Reviews gave the book a rare 5-Star Review. Available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Published by Brown Books Publishing Group.
The book won the 2014 Silver Medal for Humor from the Independent Publisher Book Award program (IPPY) and received a 4-Star from ForeWord Reviews. The book won First Place for Humor and First Place for eBook from the North American Book Awards. It won First Place for Cover Design and Top Idaho Author from the Idaho Book Awards. Available in paperback and eBook. Publishers Weekly wrote that the book is “laugh-out-loud funny.” Foreword Reviews wrote that Midlife Cabernet is “Erma Bombeckesque…an argument for joy.” In January 2015, the book ranked #1 in sales in the humor category on Amazon.com and sold more than 8,000 copies. 
Menopause Sucks (with Joanne Kimes) – 2008 – Published by Adams Media/Simon&Schuster. This popular reference book combines medical advice, amusing anecdotes, and hilarious hints for hot women surviving the “M” word.
Other Books by Elaine Ambrose
Drinking with Dead Women Writers – 2012 – with Amanda Turner
Drinking with Dead Drunks – 2012 – with Amanda Turner
Daily Erotica – 366 Poems of Passion – 2010 with Gretchen Anderson, Rachel Hatch, and Liza Long
The Red Tease – Adventures in Golf – 2005 Bronze Medal Winner for Humor from ForeWord Magazine
Waiting for the Harvest – 1992 – Available only from the author.
Short Stories Published in the Following Anthologies
Laugh Out Loud – 40 Humorists from the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop – 2018
A Cup of Love – 2018
Angel Bumps – 2017
Feisty after 45 – 2016
The Dog with the Old Soul – 2012
A Miracle Under the Christmas Tree – 2012
Hauntings from the Snake River Plain – 2012
Little White Dress – 2011
Faith, Hope, & Healing with Bernie Siegel, M.D. – 2009
Beyond Burlap – 1997
My current project is titled Midlife Reboot –
Humorous Stories of Rest, Resilience, and Renewal
You Can Laugh with a Funny Dummy
My seven puppets are preparing material and practicing their stories and songs to entertain folks in the Boise area. As the Puppet Master, I’m eager to hear what these dummies have to say. Watch more videos on my YouTube Channel: Elaine Ambrose – YouTube
Click here for booking information:
Hire Elaine Ambrose and the Gang – Ventriloquist in Eagle, Idaho (gigsalad.com)
The performances range from five minutes to 20 minutes and can include one or multiple puppets. Acts can be tailored for children’s groups, adult business conferences, or a party with middle-aged women desperate for laughter. I also offer online chats with people who can’t leave their homes or care facilities, and the puppets can entertain and sing to someone in a care facility under Hospice care.
Outside the Boise area, I can Zoom to your party. Pick a puppet to sing “Happy Birthday” or tell a short story.
My gigs cost approximately $100 for 15 minutes. Cheap laughs!
Which puppet would you choose?
Jessie Jo from Idaho says to keep a song in your heart. She’ll be performing at the Moudy Mountain Summer Festival in McCall on June 24.
Aunt Delilah is from Britain. She loves to offer serious advice.
Aunt Olga from the Old Country is NOT politically correct.
Midlife Molly is hot! (Menopause and hot flashes)
Huckleberry Hannah is a fun country girl.
Officer Ricardo offers tips for following the law.
Wendell, an ordinary boy, is happy to be average.
Please follow me on YouTube.
