Previous Message

I want to clarify a few things regarding yesterday's post.

First and foremost, we are not planning on making this an "all dolls" board. We will be keeping it as is - Barbie and Mattel dolls only. So Kiddles, Monster High, celebrity and other Mattel dolls will always be welcome every day of the week. Just as it was when Joanne was running it. Yes, that includes Gorgeous Creatures, too. If you don't know what those are, I highly reccomend you look them up.

Second, we are in no way trying to "erase" Joanne and her memory. However, if the board dies off? Then so does what she founded. It's clear that at least some kind of change in needed to freshen things up. To do nothing may seal the board's fate as the hobby continues to change and evolve. Barbie is a lot of things - fashion, fun, structures, furniture, transportation, and licensed products to name a few. We want to embrace those things. Not shut them out. If it's Barbie and Mattel? We want it included and seen.

Finally, nothing is set in stone. The examples I gave yesterday are just that - examples. Something to build on and for you, our members, something to get your creative juices flowing.

Over the years since Joanne passed, Marige, John, and I put our hearts and souls, not to mention time and financial resources, into keeping this board alive. It is the thing that made the three of us fast friends, even though John is no longer with us. Margie and I don't want to lose that. We don't want this board to die. So please, don't take what we're trying to do as anything other than a way to keep ITP and Joanne's memory alive. We are invested in this very deeply, and sometimes, it takes a little change here and there to keep something going.

If you've read this far? Thank you. If you've offered up suggestions? Thank you. Please keep them coming. And if you don't feel like posting publicly, Margie and I are always here via email or Facebook Messenger to listen, consider, and add your thoughts to the pool.

Once we've collected all of the info? We'll discuss and, before we change anything, we will post the proposed theme changes, etc. to the baord.

Thanks and have a good night,
Bethany

P.S. If anyone is going to the convention this summer? Please let me know. I'll be a little bit of everywhere with judging, teaching workshops, and volunteering, but I'd love to meet up with you and maybe have a drink by the pool. Even if it's only for half an hour!