Barbie Dream House Colorforms

Last weekend, we celebrated my cousin's 20th birthday. While sitting around waiting for some silly basketball game to end, I began talking about memorable birthday gifts. I recalled that some of my most favorite gifts were given to me by their dad. Their dad is also my "God Father." Remember the "A" necklace I once blogged about?

I was turning 7 on November 4, 1979. That was the year Colorforms released the Barbie Dream House. I'm confused because I thought that was the year I received my "A" necklace -- maybe it was some sort of combination gift from Uncle Tony making them even more memorable? Who knows.

Anyway, if you're a regular FourthGradeNothing.com reader, you may recall me whining about how I had always wanted a Barbie Dream House  but for whatever reason, my folks missed the boat on that gift. Okay, fast forward to the Barbie Dream House Colorforms. 

I was a serious Colorforms fan and die-hard Barbie fan - this shiz was like the best of both worlds. The Barbie Dream House set was incredible. The backdrop was 3-D and consisted of multiple rooms ready to be filled with fashionably funky late '70s  furniture, trinkets, Barbie and Ken figures, clothing and more. I was in heaven!

Poof - dream sequence ruined ... Can you imagine the horror I felt when my cousin (she's in her early 20s) shot me a confused look and asked, "What are Colorforms?" It's times like that you realize your true age. For you younger folks who have never heard of Colorforms, please keep reading! 

Five Fast Colorform Facts

• Colorforms were invented in the 1960s by a creative New York City couple named Harry (a painter and art director) and Patricia Kislevitz. 
• Colorforms consisted of colorful thin, die-cut flexible plastic shapes which would adhere to the shiny laminated cardboard. Pieces could be reapplied and moved around. The downside was that within a few weeks, the sticker-like pieces lost their adhesiveness from being touched with dirty kids' hands.
• Mattel and other brands marketed Colorforms throughout the years -- producing Colorforms for a variety of cartoon characters, movies and toys including Peanuts, Holly Hobbie, Strawberry Shortcake, etc.
• Colorforms came in many shapes and forms - there were games, 3-D cutouts and more. 
• The Colorforms tag line and slogan was "It's More Fun To Play The Colorforms Way" and it really was. Still confused? Think of those window clings people put on their windows around the holidays, it's a very similar concept to Colorforms.

View a vintage Colorforms commercial 

For a complete history lesson and cool Colorforms facts and info, please visit toy inventor and legend, Mel Birnkrant's Colorforms web site at: Melbirnkrant.com/colorforms.

The Christmas Wish List That Never Was

There were three items lots of kids in school had that I never had. Although I really wanted them, the weird thing is, I never asked for them!

Today I bitched on Facebook that my Christmas list is always so shitty and lame, consisting of crap I basically need. I think it has been that way for a very long time. The other day, I told you guys I had a thing for pen pals growing up. Well, get this, I recall stamps being on my list! For real. What kid asks for stamps?

So what are these "three things" you wonder? Now, don't all rush out to find me these treasures, trust me, we haven't an inch of space in our apartment. And although I admit I still love juvenile stuff, they must be useful and practical.

For example: I love Hello Kitty but only when she's gifted to me in the form of like maybe a kitchen towel, a mug (still using my Chococat mug from Aunt Sue from like six Christmases ago!) and ice cube trays (still using the ice cube tray Aunt Chris gave me back in 2005!) ... Get the idea? Like I'd go gaga over a Hello Kitty baking mitt or washcloths.

So anyway... back to the three items.

The Barbie Dream House and Barbie Townhouse... I need to get my mom on the phone and find out why the hell I was the only kid in kindergarten and first grade that did not have one of these lavish luxuries. I'm left to wonder where the hell did my Barbies live? They were totally homeless.

Did I store them in one of those pink travel cases? That's so uncool! Geez. Here are some photos of the girly real estate which I believe was from the late '70s-early '80s time frame. Funny my Barbies weren't homeowners and to this day, neither am I. It's like a sign. It's as if I'm seriously cursed on the housing tip!





Final item, which my younger readers won't remember at all... Freezy Freakies! These were the coolest! They totally mystified me the way Shrinky Dinks (those I had!) did. They were like scientifically engineered gloves adorned with cool characters such as The Groovy Ghoulies and Transformers.

The thing was, they only appeared when the temperature dropped. So you'd see the images on your gloves while freezing your ten-year-old ass off outside waiting for the bell to ring. However, when you came into school to warm up, the images magically vanished! Totally amazing! Where the hell were mine? Man, was I deprived! Just kidding Mom and Dad if you're lurking :)




Freezy Freakies, so freakin' cool! I found 'em on eBay for $10, but what good'll they do me now with my big fat grownup hands :(